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V' xV 




THE HISTORY 

OF 

TRURO PARISH 

IN VIRGINIA 

BY 



REV. PHILIP SLAUGHTER, D D. 

n 



Edited 

JVith Notes and Addenda 

By REV. EDWARD L. GOODWIN 

Historiographer of the ^Diocese of Virginia 




PHILADELPHIA 

GEORGE W. JACOBS & COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 







APR 28 1908 

■i J. •Jct-yrij^iii r.iicr.v 



-•■^■»' 'I ii--«TiTri . i-ii _ 



Copyright, 1907, by 
GEORGE W. JACOBS & COMPANY 



Published January, 1908 



All rights ^resewed 
Printed in U. S. A. 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

POHICK CHURCH Frontispiece 

THE OLD VESTRY BOOK Facing Page 34 

PAYNES CHURCH, 1768-1862 " " 50 

ORIGINAL PLAN OF POHICK CHURCH " " 82 
POHICK CHURCH IN THE OLDEN 

TIME " " 136 



Introduction 

When the EngHsh colonists made their first per- 
manent settlement on the shores of Virginia they 
came to establish themselves as an English people 
in America. They did not emigrate for purposes 
of robber3^ nor yet to escape conditions which 
were not to their liking at home, but they brought 
with them all they could of the old England, in- 
cluding, as a matter of course, the English Church 
and English law, ecclesiastical and civil. They 
brought, too, as the event was to prove, the Eng- 
lish genius for adapting old forms of government 
to new conditions of Hfe. Thus in process of time 
the Parish and the Vestry in Virginia became 
quite different from the same institutions in the 
old country, though still based upon the broad 
sanctions of the ecclesiastical law of England. The 
Parish was established and its bounds were fixed 
not by tradition, but by statute, and the Vestry, 
from an annual meeting of all the ratepayers to 
choose Churchwardens and discuss parochial af- 
fairs, became practically a close corporation of 
twelve of "The most able and discreet persons" in 
the Parish. These divided with the County Court 
the responsibility of local government, having as 



INTRODUCTION 

their especial charge the maintenance of rehgion 
and the oversight of all things pertaining thereto 
in the domain of charity and morals. These Ves- 
trymen were described by Jefferson as being 
''Usually the most discreet farmers, so distributed 
through their Parish that every part of it may 
be under the eye of some one of them. They are 
well acquainted with the details and economy of 
private life, and they find sufficient inducements 
to execute their charge well in their philanthropy, 
in the approbation of their neighbors, and the dis- 
tinction which that gives them." 

No Parish in the Colony had a Vestry more dis- 
tinguished in its personnel, or more fully qualified 
for their positions, than the Parish of Truro. Of 
its earlier members indeed little has come down to 
us but their names inscribed on almost every page 
of the scant records remaining to tell of the settle- 
ment of these upper reaches of the "Northern 
Neck," and the establishment of reHgion and civi- 
lization in what was then but a wilderness. But 
later her Vestrymen are found ranking among the 
first gentlemen of Virginia in position and influ- 
ence. Eleven of them sat at various times in the 
House of Burgesses. Two of them, the Fairfaxes, 
were members of "His Majesty's Council for Vir- 
ginia." Another of her Vestrymen was George 
Mason, one of the first among the founders of 
the State and the great political thinkers of his 
age; while still another was declared to be the 

ii 



INTRODUCTION 

"Greatest man of any age," the imperial George 
Washing-ton. 

These men, however exalted their native genius, 
had and needed to have their period of training, 
that their characters might be matured on lines 
of piety and righteousness, their opinions formed 
in full view of the needs and capacities of their 
people, and their abilities ripened in the fields of 
practical experience. They received this training 
in part as Parish Vestrymen. It was no mean 
school in which to learn the rudiments of popular 
government, the foundations of human rights, or 
the reconciliation of diverse policies. 

The Vestry Records of Truro Parish have there- 
fore a value quite unique as the sole and absolutely 
authentic record of the parochial administration 
and government of these great men. The affairs 
which occupied their attention seem small indeed 
as compared with those which afterward demanded 
the consecration of their powers, but they brought 
to them the same practical wisdom, scrupulous 
justice and exact attention to detail which char- 
acterized them later as master workmen in making 
the history and building the liberties of a nation. 

For the recovery and preservation of these 
records we are indebted to the late Reverend 
Doctor Philip Slaughter, Clergyman, Genealogist, 
Antiquarian and Historian, whose name will long 
be held in affectionate remembrance in Virginia. 
He was the author of no large work, but his his- 

iii 



INTRODUCTION 

tories of St. George's, Bristol, and St. Mark's 
Parishes, and very many pamphlets, articles and 
published addresses, combine to form a great con- 
tribution to the historical collections of his native 
State, and an enduring monument to his memory. 
A few years before his death he was so fortunate 
as to discover the whereabouts of the old Vestry- 
Book of Truro Parish which had been lost to sight 
for three-quarters of a century, and did not rest 
until it came into his possession. He afterwards 
committed it to the Vestry of Pohick Church, ac- 
cepting only the small sum in return which it had 
cost him to acquire it, but not before he had com- 
piled from its time-worn pages the History of 
Truro Parish which is here presented to the 
reader. It was almost his last literary labor, and 
indeed the infirmities of age forbade his giving the 
work of his amanuenses his final revision and cor- 
rections. The incomplete manuscript was en- 
trusted to the Rev. Dr. Samuel A. Wallis, then 
Rector of Pohick, to be published when the means 
for doing so should be forthcoming. 

At the request of Dr. Wallis I have prepared the 
history for publication. The manuscript has been 
wholly re-written; more copious extracts from the 
records of the Vestry have been incorporated, so 
that it now includes all that is of general value in 
the Vestry-Book, the language and spelling of 
which have been preserved; a few errors and over- 
sights have been found and corrected; and in one 

iv 



INTRODUCTION 

place, for reasons noted in the text, a number of 
pages of my own have been inserted in lieu of the 
author's. With these exceptions the continuous 
narrative is as nearly as possible as Dr. Slaughter 
wrote it. My own additions otherwise appear in 
the form of foot-notes and addenda. 

EDWARD L. GOODWIN. 

The Rectory, 

Fairfax, Virginia. 



•i 



The Genesis of Truro Parish ^ 

Among the prominent features in the physiog- 
nomy of Eastern Virginia are the great rivers 
which run from the blue mountains and pour their 
streams into the bosom of the "Mother of 
Waters," as the Indians called the Chesapeake 
Bay. Along these rivers, which were then the 
only roads, the first settlers penetrated the wilder- 
ness. This explains the seeming anomaly, that 
the first Parishes and counties often included both 
sides of broad rivers, it being easier to go to Court 
and to Church by water, than through forests by 
what were called in those days "bridle paths." 
Hence Parishes were often sixty or more miles 
long and of little breadth. The space between the 
rivers was called "Necks." Among the most his- 
toric of these was the Northern Neck, which in- 
cluded all the land between the Potomac and the 
Rappahannock rivers from their head springs to 
the Chesapeake Bay. This was the princely plan- 
tation of Lord Fairfax. Within this territory were 
the seats of the Fairfaxes, Washingtons, Masons, 
McCartys, Fitzhughs, Brents, Alexanders, Lew- 
ises, Mercers, Daniels, Carters, Dades, Stuarts, 
Corbins, Tayloes, Steptoes, Newtons, Browns, 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Lees, Thorntons, Balls,"^ Smiths, and other leading 
famiUes too many to mention, who dispensed an 
elegant hospitality at Northumberland House, 
Nomini, Stratford, Chantilly, Mount Airy, Sabine 
Hall, Bedford, Albion, Cedar G rove, Boscobel, 
Richland, Marleborough, Woodstock, Gunston, 
Belvoir, Woodlawn, Mount Vernon, etc. Begin- 
ning at Lancaster, county was taken from county, 
Parish from Parish, as the population of each 
passed the frontiers, until in 1730 Prince William 
was taken from Stafford and King George Coun- 
ties, above Chappawansick Creek and Deep Run, 
and along the Potomac, to the ''Great Mountains." 
This became also Hamilton Parish; which Parish, 
by an Act of the General Assembly passed at the 
Session of May, 1732, to take effect the first of the 
following November, was divided into two Par- 
ishes ''By the river Ockoquan, and the Bull Run, 
(a branch thereof,) and a course from thence to the 
Indian Thoroughfare of the Blue Ridge of Moun- 
tains," (Ashby's Gap.) All that part of Prince 
William lying below the said bounds was to retain 
the name of Hamilton, "And all that other part of 
the said county, which lies above those bounds, 
shall hereafter be called and known by the name 
of Truro." The Parish was named after the Parish 
in Cornwall, in England, which is now the Diocese 
of Truro. 

Such is the genesis of the Parish of Truro, 
which extended along the Potomac from the 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

mouth of Occoquan to the Blue Ridge, including 
what are now the Parishes of Truro, Cameron, 
Fairfax and Shelburne."^' Within this territory 
there were three churches. Occoquan, William 
Gunnells, and a chapel ''above Goose Creek." 

The present writer has been so fortunate as to 
find the old Vestry Book of Truro Parish; so long 
lost to the public eye that even Bishop Meade 
said he could ''hear no tidings" of it and was con- 
strained to construct his sketch of the Parish from 
such f'^cts and traditions as he could gather from 
other sources and from his own rich personal 
knowledge. It is now possible for the first time 
to authenticate its history by its own records, 
which are continuous from 1732 to 1785, when the 
civil functions of the Vestries were devolved by 
law upon the Overseers of the Poor. This book 
also contains a record of the proceedings of the 
Overseers of the Poor from 1787 to 1802, thus 
handing down the names of persons, many of 
whom had been Vestrymen of the Church. 

The Vestry Book opens with a recitation of the 
Act of the General Assembly instituting the Par- 
ish, the election of the Vestry and the proceedings 
of their first meeting. The Act of Assembly pre- 
scribed that the Sheriff of the County should sum- 
mon the freeholders and housekeepers to meet and 
elect so mau)^ of the "most able and discreet per- 



♦These are Colonial Parishes. Those of more recent foundation 
in the same territory are Johns, Upper Truro, McGill, and a part 
of Meade. 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

sons in the said Parish as shall make up the num- 
ber of Vestrymen in the said Parish twelve and no 
more." Which order being complied with, "Five 
of the Vestrymen elected, to witt, Charles Broad- 
water, Richard Osborn, John Lewis, Gabriel 
Adams, and Edward Emms, together with Denis 
Mc.Carty, John Heryford, and Edward Barry, 
having taken the oaths appointed by law, and Sub- 
scribed to be conformable to the doctrine and dis- 
cipline of the Church of England, took their 
places in the Vestry accordingly." The first Vestry 
met on November 7th, 1732, with the above gen- 
tlemen present. Edward Barry was nominated for 
Clerk, and ''the question was put whether the said 
Barry should enjoy the place or not, which was 
carried in the said Barry's favour. And he was 
thereupon swOrn, and took his place accordingly." 
He was ordered to "provide paper & books for the 
minutes and orders of this Vestry, and that he be 
paid for the same at the laying of the next parish 
levy." John Heryford and Edward Emms were 
chosen Churchwardens for that year, and "were 
sworn accordingly." At the next meeting of the 
Vestry, held March 26, 1733, John Sturman and 
Giles Tillett were added to the Vestry, and there 
were present also Francis Aubrey and William 
Godfrey, not previously mentioned. It was "Or- 
dered, that the Churchwardens give publick notice 
to workmen to appear at the next Vestry to be 
held for this parish to agree for the building of a 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Church at the cross roads near Michael Reagans 
in this parish." At the meeting on April i6, 1733, 
Michael Ashford took the oaths and subscribed the 
test as a Vestryman. An agreement was made 
with the Rev. Lawrence De Butts to preach three 
times a month for one year, "at Occoquan Church, 
the new Church, or William Gunnell's, and at the 
Chappell above Goose Creek,* for the sum of 
eight thousand pounds of tobacco clear of the 
Warehouse charges and abatements, — And the 
said De Butts doth further agree to and with the 
Vestry aforesaid, that in case he fails, or is by the 
weather prevented to preach at any of the places 
aforesaid, any of the times aforesaid, tobacco shall 
only be levied for him in proportion to his service." 
Mr. De Butts seems to have been a bird of pass- 
age. From 1 72 1 to about 1728 he was Minister 
of Washington Parish in Westmoreland County, 
where he had two churches, and also officiated dur- 
ing the week in the neighboring Parishes of St. 



*Occoquan Church, which Dr. Slaughter could not identify, was 
none other than the old Pohick Church, which stood about two 
miles from the ferry over the Occoquan at or near Colchester. When 
this Church was built is not known, but it was first an "Upper 
Church," or Chapel-of-Ease, in Overwharton Parish. When Ham- 
ilton Parish was formed, January 1, 1730, it was ordered that the 
freeholders and housekeepers meet "At the Church above Occoquan 
ferry" to elect their Vestry, "above" meaning- up the Potomac. 
When Truro was set apart two years later this Church falls again 
in a new Parish. After the year 1733 the name Occoquan disap- 
pears and that of Pohick is substituted. The Church stood until 
superseded by the new or present Pohick in 1774. 

"William Gunnell's Church" was probably a temporary, or per- 
haps a rented, building-, and may have been situated not far below 
Difficult Run, as the Gunnells owned land in that vicinity. It dis- 
appears after the building- of the "Church near Michael Reagan's," 
and may be considered the first Falls Church. The location of the 
"Chapel above Goose Creek" is not known. It was still unfinished 
at this time, being completed in 1736. 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Stephen's, Northumberland; Farnham, Richmond 
County; and Cople, Westmoreland, when they 
were vacant. In 1731 he was employed in St. 
Mark's Parish, Culpepper County, at 500 pounds 
of tobacco a sermon, and now is in Truro for one 
year."^ At the expiration of this engagement he 
seems to have preached eight sermons in the Par- 
ish, for which he received 245 pounds of tobacco 
per sermon, and then he disappears from the 
record, having, we believe, gone to Maryland. 

1733, June 9th, Mr. Richard Blackburn agreed 
with the Vestry to build a Church at the Cross 
Roads near Michael Reagan's, ^'Forty feet in 
length, two and twenty feet wide, and thirteen feet 
pitch, to be weather boarded, covered, and all the 
inside work perform'd and done after the same 
manner the work upon Pohick Church is done, for 
the sum of thirty-three thousand five hundred 
pounds of tobacco." William Godfrey and Michael 
Ashford were "to take care that the work upon 
the Church be well and sufficiently done and per- 
formed."! I2th. October: Jeremiah Bronaugh, 



*Paul Leicester Ford, in "The True George "Washington," sup- 
poses that this Mr. De Butts officiated at the baptism of "Washing- 
ton. It is most improbable that such was the case. George Wash- 
ington was born in Washington Parish, Westmoreland* County. Feb- 
ruary 11th, 1731-2 (Old style,) and was bapjtized the third of April 
following, according to the record in the- family Bible. Mr. De 
Butts had left Westmoreland several years before, and was now 
officiating in Truro Parish. 

fThis was known as the "Upper Church" until 1757, when the 
name "Falls Church" is first applied to it in the "Vestry Book, prob- 
ably to distinguish it more clearly from the Church in Alexandria. 
The Church was apparently built on land to which no title had been 
acquired, for in 1746 the Church Wardens were directed to pay 
.Tohn Trammel fifty shillings sterling for two acres of land at the 
"Upper Church, and on the 19th of March of that year Trammel 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

William Peake, John Farguson and Thomas Lewis 
were chosen Vestrymen in the room of several de- 
ceased members, and qualified and took their 
places accordingly. Joseph Johnson was chosen 
''Reader at the new Church and the Chapell above 
Goose Creek," to receive 1300 pounds of tobacco 
''provided he does his duty in his office." In the 
Parish Levy for this year provision is made for 
2500 pounds of tobacco to Capt. Francis Aubrey 
towards building the chapel above Goose Creek, 
and the next year the same amount, and in 1735, 
4000 pounds for finishing said chapel. 

1734, nth. May; James Baxter was chosen a 
Vestryman and qualified. Ordered that Edward 
Emms, the upper Churchwarden, give notice to 
Capt. John Colvill to appear at a Vestry to be held 
at Pohick Church on the 4th. of June next, to 
take the oath of a Vestryman, if he shall think^^fit 
to accept of the office." Jeremiah Bronaugh,'^John 
Farguson and James Baxter were appointed to 
view the land offered for a Glebe by William God- 
frey, French Mason, William Hall, George Har- 
rison, and Burr Harrison, and any other land that 
shall be offered by any other person, and to report 
to the Vestry. On the 4th. of June John Colvill 
Gent, was sworn and took his seat as a Vestryman. 
There is a note on the margin here signed "C. 



made them a deed, now on record at the Clerk's ofRce at Fairfax, 
conveying- two acres — "where the upper Church now is, to be laid 
off in such manner as the Vestry shall think proper, to include the 
said Church, churchyard and spring, and all appurtenances to the 
said premises." 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

G." (Rev. Charles Green,) in these words: ''Capt. 
Colvill appears to have been a 13th Vestryman. 
This is noted because when a Burgess for this 
County he promoted ye dissolution of the Vestry 
as illegal, — himself the only illegal Vestryman." 
John Heryford offered to sell 300 acres of land, 
"Scituate, Lying and being upon Accotink, and 
near the plantation of David Jones," for a Glebe, 
for 12000 pounds of tobacco. It was ordered that 
the land be laid ofif at the cost of said Heryford, 
and that John Sturman provide Deeds of Lease 
and Release for conveying the land sold to this 
parish for a Glebe. The Churchwardens were or- 
dered to receive of Wm. Godfrey 5000 pounds of 
tobacco he had assumed to pay to this parish for 
the parish of Hamilton. 

''At a Vestry held for Truro Parish on the 23d. 
day of 7ber, 1734, — Whereas John Colvill Gent, 
one of the members of this Vestry, is in a short 
time bound for Great Brittain, and hath promised 
us that he will use his interest to procure a dis- 
creet and Godly Minister of the Church of Eng- 
land, to come over and settle in our said parish. 
And further that he will accommodate any such 
person with a free passage hither, on board any 
of his ships, if he is ready to come in any of them, 
and will accept of the same. We do therefore 
hereby impower and desire the said John Colvill 
to negotiate the said afifair in our behalf, either by 
making application to his Grace the Lord Bishop 

8 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISPI 

of London, or by treating with any gentleman 
qualified as aforesaid in his private capacity, who 
shall be willing to come over and settle here. And 
we do agree to accept of, and provide for him, in 
as full and ample manner as the law of this Colony 
directs." Signed by the Churchwardens and the 
five additional Vestrymen present.''' 

1734. Oct. nth. After the expiration of the 
year for which the Rev. Mr. De Butts had been 
employed he seems to have preached occasionally 
in the Parish, for at a Vestry of this date provision 
was made for paying him 1970 pounds of tobacco 
"for preaching eight sermons." Payment was 
also ordered for Mr. Catesby Cocke for ''Clerks 
Fees," to John Trammell for "grubing a place for 
the Church," to John Massey for "keeping a house 
for the minister to preach in," and to the Church- 
wardens "to buy tarr for the Churches." The 
salary of "each Reader in this parish" was fixed for 
the next year at 1000 pounds of tobacco. 

1735. Nov. i8th. "Augustine Washington 
gent, being this day sworn one of the members of 
this Vestry, took his place therein accordingly." 
"C. G." interlines this note : "A. W. a fourteenth 
Vestryman, father to L. W. the other Burgess 
when Truro Vestry was dissolved."! 



♦Nothing more is found in the Vestry Book in regard to this 
effort to procure a minister from England. Doubtless it was for- 
tunate for the Parish that the plan, for some reason, miscarried. 

fFather also of George Washington, who inherited Mount Vernon 
from his brother, Lawrence Washington, the Burgess here in- 
dicated. 



9 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO, PARISH 

Payment was ordered to Catesby Cocke, for re- 
cording deeds and copies of the lists of tithables 
in the Parish/^ i68 pounds of tobacco; to Edward 
Barry, Clerk of the Church, (Pohick,) and Vestry, 
1500 pounds; to Samuel Hull, Clerk of the 
Chapel above Goose Creek, and Joseph John- 
son, Clerk of the new Church, 1000 pounds each, 
and to Oliver Roe, Sexton at Pohick, 300 
pounds. 

''At a Vestry held for Truro Parish the 19th. 
day of August, 1736, — Mr. Charles Green, being 
recommended to this Vestry by Capt. Augustine 
Washington as a person qualified to officiate as a 
Minister of this Parish as soon as he shall receive 
orders from his Grace the Bishop of London to 
qualify himself for the same. It is therefore or- 
dered by this Vestry, that as soon as the said 
Green has qualified himself as aforesaid, he be re- 
ceived and entertained as Minister of the said Par- 
ish. And the said Vestry do humbly recommend 
the said Charles Green to the Right Honorable 
Thomas Lord Fairfax for his Letters of recom- 
mendation and Presentation to his Grace the said 



*A11 male persons of the age of sixteen years or upwards, and 
also negro, mulatto and Indian women of like age, ("except tribu- 
tary Indians to this government.") were "tithable" or chargeable 
for county and parish levies. But the Court or Vestry, "for reasons 
in charity," could excuse indigent persons from payment, and this 
was frequently done. In 1733 there were 676 tithables in Truro. 
Ten years later there were 1,372. This indicates the growth of the 
population. The Parish Levy varied widely year by year, the aver- 
age being about 34 pounds of tobacco per poll. 

10 



TPIE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Lord Bishop of London to qualify him as afore- 
said. 

Jeremiah Bronaugh, Church Warden. 
Denis Mc.Carty Willm. Godfrey 

August. Washington James Baxter 
Richd. Osborn Edward Barry 

John Sturman Thos. Lewis." '" 

October nth. The Vestry met and made the 
usual appropriations for the oflficers of the Church 
and for the support of the poor. They also made 
a bargain with the Rev. John Holmes to ofiliciate 
in the Parish, in these words: — "Ordered that the 
Revd. Mr. John Holmes be received and enter- 
tained in this Parish, as Minister thereof; and that 
he be provided for as the Law directs." Further, 
it was ''Ordered that the Reverend Mr. John 
Holmes Minister of this Parish preach six times 
in each year at the Chappell above Goose Creek: 
and it is also ordered, that the Sundays he preaches 
at the said Chappell the sermon shall be taken 
from the new Church." At the bottom of the page 
is the following note, signed Cha. Green; — "The 
Levity of the Members of the Vestry is worth 
notice, They applyed to Collo. Colvill & entered 
an order, 23d. Sept. 1734 for him to procure them 
a Clergyman from England. By the order on the 
other page they gave Cha. Green a title to the 
Psh. when ordained, and he had scarcely left the 
country when they received Mr. John Holmes 
into the parish as appears by the above order. 

II 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

N. B. Mr. Holmes was an Itinerant Preacher with- 
out any orders, & reed, contrary to Law." 

This note was made after Mr. Green became 
Rector of the Parish. The foregoing entries are 
the only evidence of the connection of Messrs. 
De Butts and Holmes with the Parish. These 
facts were unknown to Bishop Meade, who never 
saw this record. This book also reveals the fact 
that the Rev. James Keith, of Hamilton Parish, 
the Grandfather of Chief Justice Marshall, also 
officiated in this Parish, when it was without a 
minister. At this very Vestry an order was en- 
tered to pay the Rev. Mr. James Keith 10,544 
pounds of tobacco for services rendered. 

On the 1 2th of April, 1737, a long contract with 
minute specifications is recorded with William 
Berkeley for building a ''Mansion house" on the 
Glebe, with kitchen, barn, dairy, meat house, and 
all other appurtenances to a well furnished coun- 
try residence. The specifications as to the quality 
of the timber, the style of the work, etc., would 
be a suggestive and profitable study for modern 
Vestrymen. The cost of the buildings was to be 
36,500 pounds of tobacco. Berkeley's bond, to 
Jeremiah Bronaugh and Thomas Lewis, Church 
Wardens, with Lewis EUzey, Hugh West, George 
Harrison, and John Minor as bondsmen, and Val. 
Peyton, Abraham Saintclare and Joseph Cash as 
witnesses, is also recorded in the Vestry Book. At 
the same time an agreement was made with John 

12 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Summers to "pale in the yard about the new 
Church after the same manner the yard about the 
Church at Pohick is paled in, (only the pails to be 
sawed,) to make good and sufficient shutters for 
the windows of the said Church, and to make and 
erect two good and substantial horse blocks," for 
3000 pounds of tobacco. 

The Rev. Charles Green, M. D., 

The First Regular Rector 

OF Truro Parish. 

The Vestry which met on the 13th of August, 
1737, was the first which was held under the aus- 
pices of a regular Rector, and the following pro- 
ceedings were entered on the minutes : 

"Whereas at a Vestry held for this Parish on 
the nineteenth day of August one thousand seven 
hundred and thirty six, the now Reverend Mr. 
Charles Green was recommended to the Right 
Honorable Thomas Lord Fairfax, for his presen- 
tation of the said Green to the Lord Bishop of 
London for his ordination. And it now appearing 
to this Vestry, as well by the letter of the Honor- 
able William Gooch Esqr. Lieutenant Governor 
of Virginia, as the letter of the Reverend Mr. 
James Blair Commissary, that the said Green is 
regularly and legally ordained. It is therefore 
ordered by this Vestry, that the said Green be 
received into, and entertained as Minister of, this 

13 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

parish; and that he be provided for, as the laws of 
this Colony direct.""^' 

This being passed there is noted as "Present, 
the reverend Mr. Charles Green Minister." 

"Ordered, that the Church Wardens place the 
people that are not already placed, in Pohick and 
the new Churches, in pews, according to their 
several ranks and degrees." 

"Ordered, that the sum of two thousand five 
hundred pounds of tobacco be yearly levied for 
the Reverend Mr. Charles Green, until the build- 
ings that are to be erected upon the Glebe be com- 
pleated according to agreement made with the 
undertaker." 

"Ordered, that the Reverend Mr. Charles 
Green preach four times in a year only, at the 
Chappell above Goose Crek. And that the. Sun- 
day he preaches at the said Chappell, the sermon 
shall be taken from the new Church." 

At a Vestry on the third day of October, 1737. 
the usual appropriations for the salaries of the 
minister and other ofHcers of the Church, and for 
the poor and other current expenses of the Parish, 



*The Rev. Mr. Green was a Doctor of Medicine before he took 
orders, and appears to have practised to some extent afterwards. 
On at least one occasion he was called in at Mount Vernon, for 
lack of a regular practitioner, and prescribed for the relief of Mrs. 
Washing-ton. He wns a large landowner, and his Deeds, in which 
he is described as Doctor of Physic and Clerk of Truro Parish, are 
of frequent occurrence in the land records of the County. In his 
latter years his health appears to have been poor. In his will, pro- 
bated Aug-ust 19th. 1765, he leaves 3,000 acres of land, lying in 
Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun, to his wife. He also men- 
tions certain relatives in Ireland, and advises his wife to return 
to that country, from which it is supposed that he was an Irish- 
man. 

14 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

were made, amounting to 38,383 pounds of tobac- 
co. The Parish Levy was at the rate of 42^ 
pounds per Poll. The next year it was 45 pounds. 
Among the appropriations made were; 
To the Rev. Charles Green, 

Minister, salary,* 16729 lbs. tobacco. 

To Mr. Joseph Blumfield,t to 

be paid Rev. Chas. Green. . 1597 " '' 

To Edward Washington, Sub 

Sheriff, per account 300 " " 

To Francis Aubre}^ gent, for 
finding books for the Chap- 
pell 200 " 

To buy ornaments for the 
Churches and books for the 
Chappell, and Plate for 

Communion 8000 '' " 

To Mr. Richard Osborn for 

taring the Churches, &c.. . . iioo '' '' 

To Edward Emms for sali- 
vating James Boilstone. . . . 1000 " " 
The Readers at the churches received their 
usual 1000 pounds, and the Sextons 500. A com- 

*The Ministers salary was fixed by the law of 1696 at 16,000 
pounds of tobacco. In 1727 the "cask" was added, for which an 
addition of eig-ht per cent, was allowed; though for some reason in 
Truro only four per cent, was added for cask, and Mr. Green's sal- 
ary after this time was 16,640 pounds, until in 1748 an additional 
four per cent, was allowed for "shrinkag-e." Thereafter the salary 
was 17,280 pounds, with, of course, the Glebe and buildings de- 
manded by law. The value of a Minister's "Living" depended not 
a little on the quality of the tobacco raised in his Parish. Com- 
missarj' Blair used to . distinguish between "Sweet-scented" and 
"Oronoco" Parishes. 

fThe Rev. Mr. Blumfleld, who seems to have performed occa- 
sional ministerial services in the parish before the arrival of Mr. 
Green. 

^5 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

mission of 6 per cent, was paid for collecting the 
levy. 

''Whereas the Rev. Charles Green hath this day 
agreed with the Vestry to take the tobacco levied 
to purchase books for the Chappell above Goose 
Creek and ornaments for the Churches, at the 
rate of eleven shilhngs current money per hun- 
dred. He by the said agreement obliging himself 
to find and provide the said books and ornaments, 
being allowed fifty per cent, upon the first cost in 
accounting with the Church Wardens. It is or- 
dered that the collector pay to the said Green the 
sum of 8000 pounds of tobacco, it being the quan- 
tity this day levied for the purpose aforesaid." Mr. 
Green also contracted to build the addition to the 
Glebe house for the sum appropriated. 

Among the offices of the Church Wardens was 
the duty of binding orphan and other indigent 
children as Apprentices; and ten pages of the Ves- 
try Book at this period are filled with Indentures. 
Their specifications in regard to the duties and 
morals of those apprenticed, their being taught to 
read English and the "Art and mystery" of shoe- 
making, or of a Carpenter, or Cooper, etc., are 
curious illustrations of the times. 

At a Vestry held 6th. of October, 1740, a peti- 
tion was presented from William Fairfax Esqr. 
Catesby Cocke, Gent, and Charles Green, Doctor 
of Physick, ''setting forth that the Church at 
Pohick is too small to admit of a commodious re- 

16 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

ception for the parishioners who resort to divine 
services at the said Church, and praying that they 
may be admitted to build a Gallery at the West 
end of the said Church for the reception and more 
easie accommodation of themselves and their fami- 
lies, and that the same may be erected at their 
own proper cost. It is ordered that they may 
have liberty to erect the same, so that it does dis- 
commode the lights of the Church, or interfere 
with any other conveniency thereto belonging." 
''Col. John Colvill is appointed and chosen Church 
Warden in the room of Thomas Lewis." 

In 1 74 1 nothing appears on the record but the 
ordinary routine of laying levies, and making an- 
nual appropriations for the poor, and the other 
current expenses of the Parish. 

Institution of Fairfax County 

In 1742 Fairfax County was taken from Prince 
William, and the boundary lines of Truro Parish 
and of the new county coincided.* 

*The Act forming the new County, "Consisting of the Parish of 
Truro," (including what are now Loudoun and Alexandria Counties, 
as well as Fairfax,) took effect December 1st, 1742. (Hening, V, 
207.) The first Court-House was established on "Freedom Hill," a 
mile or two north of the present village of Vienna, on land deeded 
to the County by William Fairfax. Probably that was then near 
the center of population. In 1754 the Court-House was moved to 
Alexandria, and on July 1st, 1757. Loudoun County was cut off from 
Fairfax. An Act of Assembly was passed December 4, 1789, direct- 
ing two acres of land to be purchased and the county buildings to 
be erected "Within one mile of the cross roads, near Price's Or- 
dinary," that being near the center of the County. But it was not 
until 1801 that the present Court-House was completed, on land 
deeded by Richard Ratcliffe, and the Court removed. The village 
which slowly grew up at the County seat received the name of 

17 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Among the duties of the Vestries was the 
appointment every four years of reputable Free- 
holders to ''perambulate" the Parish, — going 
around the plantations and renewing the land- 
marks. This was called "Processioning."''^ To 
this end the Parish was divided into precincts, like 
our modern Townships. These are reproduced 
because they throw light upon the geography and 
population of the precincts at the time of the sev- 
eral processionings, and also because the Proces- 
sioners named owned land within their several 
precincts at that date, and their names and locali- 
ties are thus prescribed. 

At a Vestry held the 8th of August, 1743, for 
appointing Processioners, etc. "Pursuant to an 
order of Fairfax County Court the Vestry pro- 
ceeded and laid ofif the said Parish into precincts 
and appointed Processioners in manner following: 

"Ordered, that Richard Simpson and Thos. 
Ford procession all the pattented lands that lye 



Providence, while the County seat of Culpeper County was known 
as Fairfax. The old Virginia habit of calling the County seat 
"The Court-House" prevailed, however, and both villag-es lost their 
names, until finally, aided by the mandate of the Post OfRce De- 
partment, "Culpeper Court-House" taeca.me "Culpeper" and "Fair- 
fax Court-House" has now become "Fairfax." 

*This was a revival in Virginia, in about the year 1662, of an 
old English and Scottish custom which had already fallen into dis- 
use in the old country. Processionings were required every four 
years. Originally the Vestries had only to mark out the precincts, 
and appoint the days, between Easter and Whitsunday, for the 
processioning, which was performed by the parties interested, but 
after 1705 they had also to "appoint at least two intelligent honest 
freeholders of each precinct to see such processioning performed, 
to take and return to the Vestry an account of every persons land 
they shall procession, and of the persons present at the same." 
These accounts were to be carefully recorded and preserved by the 
Vestry in books specially provided. Three processionings fixed the 
bounds of lands beyond dispute. 

i8 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

between Occoquan and Pohick on the upper side 
of the Ox road, and between that and Occoquan 
as far up as Popes head, and that they perform the 
same sometime in the month of October or No- 
vember next, and report their proceedings accord- 
ing to Law." In hke manner it was ordered, that 
WilHam Champneys and Francis Cofer procession 
between Occoquan and Pohick, and on the lower 
side of the Ox road, as far up as the head branches 
of Popes head; that John Manley and John Brown 
procession between Pohick and Doegs Creek, 
from the head branches of Pohick by Col. Fitz- 
hughs Rolling road, to the head of Doegs Run; 
that Zephaniah Wade and Sampson Darrell pro- 
cession between Doegs Run and Great Hunting 
Creek; that Daniel French Senior and John Glad- 
din procession between Great Hunting Creek and 
Pimmetts Run; that James Robertson and Guy 
Broadwater procession between Pimmetts Run 
and Difficult Run; that John Trammell and John 
Harle procession between Difficult Run and Broad 
Run; that Anthony Hampton and William Moore 
procession between Broad Run and the south side 
of Goose Creek as far as the fork of Little River; 
that Philip Noland and John Lasswell procession 
between Goose Creek and Limestone Run as far 
as the fork of Little River; that Amos Janney and 
William Hailing procession between Limestone 
Run and the south branch of Kitoctan; ''Between 
the south fork of Kitoctan and Williams Gap, no 

^9 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

freeholder in this precinct. Between WiUiams 
Gap, Ashbys Gap, the county hne, and Goose 
Creek, to the Beaver Dam, and back to the Gap. 
No freeholder in this precinct. Between the 
Beaver Dam and the north east fork of Goose 
Creek. No freeholder in this precinct." — that 
Lovel Jackson and Jacob Lasswell procession be- 
tween the north east and north west forks of Goose 
Creek; that John Middleton and Edward Hews 
procession between Little River and Goose Creek; 
that William West and William Hall Junior pro- 
cession between Little River and Walnut Cabbin 
branch; that George Adams and Daniel Diskin 
procession between Walnut Cabbin branch, Broad 
run and Cub run; that William Berklev and Vin- 
cent Lewis procession between Cub run and Popes 
head. "Ordered, that the Processioners, accord- 
ing to their judgement, shape a line from the head 
of one branch to the head of another; and that if 
any persons land crosses any of the natural boun- 
darys mentioned, the first set of Processioners are 
to go round the land." 

Vestry Dissolved, and a New Vestry 
Elected 

In 1744 it was represented to the General As- 
sembly that divers members of the Vestry of Truro 
Parish were not able to read or write, and were 
not otherwise qualified. The Vestry was dissolved 

20 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

by an Act of Assembly, and the Sheriff of the 
County was ordered to call a meeting of the free- 
holders and housekeepers to choose a new Vestry 
of the "most able and discreet persons in the Par- 
ish." In obedience to this order the following 
persons were chosen to compose the new Vestry, 
viz: 

Capt. John West Capt. Richard Osborn 

Capt. Lewis Ellzey Mr. Daniel French 

Mr. John Sturman Mr. Edward Emms 

Capt. John Minor Mr. Robert Boggess 

Mr. Hugh Wes.t Colo. John Colvill 

Mr, Andrew Hutchinson Mr. Charles Broadwater. 

These persons, having taken the oaths required 
by law to be taken, subscribed the test, and to be 
conformable to Doctrine and Discipline of the 
Church of England were sworn Vestrymen of the 
Parish of Truro.* 

Bishop Meade expresses surprise at this dissolu- 
tion in view of the number of intelligent men in 
the Parish, and supposes that it must have taken 
place elsewhere. But the Rev. Charles Green 
made a note in the Vestry Book which explains 
the proceeding. He says that ''One of the causes 
assigned for the dissolution of the Vestry was that 



♦These political oaths were three in number, and the third was 
quite long. They were oaths of allegiance and of abjuration of 
Popery and of the Pretender, etc., and were required of all Civil 
and Military officers by the laws of England and of Virginia. They 
may be seen in Bp. Meade's "Old Churches, Ministers and Famllle* 
of Virginia," Vol. II. p. 41. It seems to have required as many as 
six oaths and subscriptions properly to qualify & Vestryman in thoie 
dmjM. 

21 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

several of them were illiterate. There was but one 
of them illiterate, namely Edward Emms, who was 
reelected." The truth seems to be that the Dele- 
gates to the Assembly and other leading men 
often had Vestries dissolved when they displeased 
them."^ 

John West and Lewis Ellzey were sworn as 
Church Wardens, and William Henry Terrett was 
elected Clerk of the Vestry. 

1745, April 15th. Messrs. John West, Hugh 
West, Hutchinson, French, Boggess and Broad- 
water were appointed to "view the most con- 
venient place between Sailsbury plain, Little river 
and Potomac river for a Chappel of Ease to be 
built, and to treat with the workmen about the 
building thereof," and report to the Vestry. t Also 



*The Act of Dissolving the Vestry of Truro was proposed in the 
House of Burg-esses by Lawrence Washing-ton, Esq., Oct. 15, 1744. 
Tt will be found in Hening's Statutes. Vol. V, p. 274. The pre- 
amble states that "many of them were never lawfully chosen or 
qualified; that several are not able to read or write." While the 
charge of illiteracy was doubtless overstated there can be no doubt 
(hat some of the Vestrymen Avere not lawfully chosen; for while 
the law was very explicit in limiting the number of Vestrymen in 
a parish to twelve, there were at least sixteen at one time in Truro, 
and on three occasions thirteen were recorded as being present at 
a Vestry. 

By an Act of Assembly in 174 5 the election of the new Vestry 
was confirmed, and the said Vestry was established as the legal 
Vestry of the Parish. Hening, Vol. V, p. 380. 

fThis Church was not built by the Truro Vestry. On October 
7tb of this same year it was "Ordered, that the Church to be built be 
built at Rocky run instead of the place already appointed, it appear- 
ing there is no water there, and that the Clerk prepare deeds for Capt. 
Newton to sign and execute for la.nd for the use of the Church." 
After this Ave hoar nothing more of it in the Vestry Book, and no 
tobaccoo was levied in this Parish for its erection. The site se- 
lected fell in Cameron Parish upon the division in 1749, and that 
the Church was built immediately thereafter we discover from a 
fragment of the records of the County Court of Fairfax for that 
period which escaped destruction. On July 21, 1752, the Court 
ordered "That Lewis Ellzey, Hugh West jr. James Hamilton, Dem- 
sie Cairde and James Halley» or any three of them, view and mark 
a way for a road to' Ue'^cleared the most convenient way from 

22 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

ordered that Messrs. John West, EUzey and 
French view what necessary repairs are wanting" 
at Goose Creek Chapel and agree with workmen 
therefor; that a gallery be built in the west end of 
the upper Church and the Church Wardens agree 
with workmen for the same; and that the Minister 
make choice of proper persons to officiate as Read- 
ers at each Church. May 21st it was ordered 
'That a Church be built at or near the spring nigh 
Mr. Flutchinsons and the Mountain road," 40 feet 
long, 22 feet wide and 13 feet pitch, weather- 
boarded, shingled, and "ceiled with quartered 
plank beaded and plained, — with pulpit, desk, 
Communion Table, pews, doors, windows and 
seats after the manner of the upper Church." The 
Clerk was instructed to prepare deeds for Mr. 
Hutchinson's conveyance of two acres of land for 
the Church and churchyard, and articles of agree- 
ment and bond for Hugh Thomas, who undertakes 
to build the Church for 24,500 pounds of tobacco, 
to be finished by the end of October 1746. On 
October 14th, 1746, John Summers, W^illiam 
Harle and Thomas Darus were appointed "to view 
the new Church, and to report on oath the state 



Alexandria to Rocky Run Chappell, and report to the Court." On 
November 21st the same parties were sworn and ordered to open 
the road. Doubtless this is what is now locally known as the old 
Braddocks Road; and if a part of Gen. Braddock's force did pass 
over it in the spring- of 1755 they may have found it in such an 
unfinished condition as to compel them to do further work on it, 
so giving- rise to the tradition that it was opened by Braddock. 
The site of the Chapel would seem to have been at or near the 
point where this road crosses Little Rocky Run, about half a mile 
east of Centei-ville. 

23 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

and condition of the work, whether there is an de- 
ficiency or not." Also it was "Ordered, that the 
Minister preach eight times in the year at the New 
Church, and that he do proportion the times 
equally from each Church.""^ 

The following items from the accounts current 
show the payments to the of^cers of the Churches, 
etc. : 
Rev. Charles Green, Salary 

and cask 16,640 lbs. of tobacco 

Clerks at Pohick, Upper 

Church, New Church, 

and Goose Creek, each. , 1200 " " 

Clerk of the Vestry 500 '' " 

Mary Bennit, Sexton at 

the Upper Church 400 " " 

Do. for washing the sur- 
plice 125 

Philip Howel, Sexton at 

Pohick, and washing 

surplice twice 550 " " 

Hugh West, for account 

book no 

Do. for bringing said 

book from Williamsburg 50 " " 



♦This Church was probably located near the present village of 
Dranesville. The deed from Hutchinson to the Vestry is on record 
in the Clerk's Office of Fairfax, dated August 19th, 1745. He con- 
reys two acres, near the Mountain road, to be laid off at the ex- 
pense of the Parish, so as to include the Church intended and 
ag^reed to be built thereon, with a spring', etc. On the division 
of the Parish this Church fell In Cameron. 



24 






THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Dr. Robinson, physick and 

attendance on poor 1200 

Dr. Daniel Hart, per ac- 
count, for poor 3880 

Various items, relief of the 

poor, one year 4630 



(( 



(( (( 



a 



A Mandamus 

In the proceedings of the Vestry for June, 174? ^ 
it is said that a Mandamus was presented to the 
Vestry in behalf of William Grove; who being ex- 
amined denied that he knew anything of its being 
prosecuted, and also quit all claim to the Clerk's 
place. This is the first instance of a Mandamus 
being served on a Vestry that I have met with. It 
is explained by a note on the margin by the Minis- 
ter, thus: "William Grove was recommended to 
me by Capt. Newton as a person capable to be 
Clerk Etc. but on trial was found not capable. 
Also he came into the County convicted, though 
probably he might have behaved well afterward. 
For these reasons I appointed W"m_. Champneys 
Clerk, w^hich occasioned the Mandamus." 

William Grove was made Sexton at the new 
Church. 

In 1748, in addition to the usual items, pa}^- 
ments w^ere made to John Graham, Valentine 
Wade, Mary Willis, Baldwin Dade, John Carlyle, 

25 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

and William Moore for levies overcharged, and 
to Dr. John Hunter for services to the poor. 



'^ First Division of Truro Parish 

By an act of the Assembly of October, 1748, it 
was enacted that from and after the eleventh day 
of June then next Trura Parish should be divided, 
''by Difficult Run and its meanders from the mouth 
to the head thereof, thence by a line to the head 
of Popes head run, and down the said run to the 
mouth thereof." All on the lower side of said runs 
and line to retain the name of Truro, and all on the 
upper side to be ''one other distinct Parish and 
called by 'the name of Cameron.''''' 

Truro was now limited to the foregoing metes 
and bounds; and Cameron Parish had jurisdiction 
above the said line, with its own Minister and Ves- 
try. The division transferred 707 tithables to 
Cameron, leaving 124.0 in Truro. Several of the 



*See Hening's Statutes, Vol. VI, pp. 214 and 271. In 1757 Fair- 
fax Cotinty was dividecl and I^oudoun County formed, the line 
being- as follows: "Difficult run, which falls into Patowmack river, 
and a line to be run from the head of the said run, a straiglit 
course, to the mouth of Rocky run;" (Now known as Little Rocky 
Run, enaptying into the Bull Run.) This left a small part of 
Cameron Parish, lying between Popes Head and the above line, 
still in Fairfax. By another Act, however, in effect January 1st, 
176 3, this was taken from Cameron and added to Truro, so that 
the parish and County lines should coincide. (See Hening, Vol. 
VII, pp. 148 and 612.) In 1798 the present line between Fairfax 
and Loudoun was established, being about eight miles west of the 
old line; but of course at that date no change was made in the 
Parish lines by the Legislature, and Cameron again lay partly in 
Fairfax. This fact was forgotten, however, and when in 1884 a 
new Parish Avas formed, almost entirely within the territory of 
Cam^eron, it received the name of Upper Truro Parish. 



26 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

old Vestrymen also lived in Cameron. The new 
Vestry of Truro consisted of, — 
Hugh West, Abraham Barnes, 

George Mason, Thomas Wren, 

James Hamilton, Robert Boggess 

Charles Broadwater, John Turley, 

Daniel Mc.Carty, William Peake, 

William Payne, Jeremiah Bronaugh. 

This is the first appearance of the great Author 
of the Bill of Rights in the Vestry Book. Mr. 
Bronaugh died within a few months, and was suc- 
ceeded as Church Warden by Mr. Mason and as 
Vestryman by John West.'-' 

February 19, 1749-50, the Vestry agree with 
Charles Broadwater Gent, to make an addition to 
the Upper Church, according to plans produced, 
for 12,000 pounds of tobacco. It was also ordered 
that the sills and sleepers of Pohick Church be 
repaired, the north side of the Church newly 
shingled with poplar or chestnut shingles, that 
windows be made in the "Justices Pew" and in the 
''Womens Pew," that the Church be raised and 
new blocked, and that a Vestry House be built, 
sixteen feet square, framed and clapboarded, to 
have *'an inside wooden chimney and to be lofted 
with clapboards." Capt. Daniel McCarty under- 
takes this work for 5,500 pounds of tobacco, he 



*This was the third Vestry of Truro. We miss henceforward 
several familiar names, among them our old friends, Edward Emms, 
Richard Osborn and Andrew Hutchinson. It is very likely that two 
at least of these would be found on the first Vestry of Cameron. 

27 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

having also the material in the old Vestry House 
to make what use of he can in building the new. 
Afterward this work was ordered to be deferred, 
and two years later the contract, with the addition 
of a window by the pulpit and making good the 
pews and floor, was given to Mr. Daniel French 
for sixty-three pounds current money. 

On the 20th of May, 1751, it was ordered, 'That 
the Clerk of the Vestry present unto the next 
Court of Claims and Propositions a petition in the 
name of the Minister, Churchwardens and Vestry 
of this Parish to Honour'l. Flouse of Burgesses 
setting forth the insufficiency and inconveniency 
of the Glebe land of said Parish in order that an 
Act of Assembly be obtained for the Vestry to 
sell the same and buy land more convenient for 
the same uses, and also to pay the upper Parish of 
this County their proportion of what the said land 
may sell for."* In 1752 an Act of Assembly 
granted the petition. 

The time for processioning the lands having 
come again, and the division of the Parish having 
changed its geography, etc. It was ordered that 
James Donaldson and John Jenkins procession 
between Difficult and Pimmetts run, Guy Broad- 
water and James Robertson between Pimmetts 

•From the County Court records, February 8th, 1752. "A peti- 
tion for selling the Glebe lands in the Parish of Truro and pur- 
chasing other land more convenient presented and ordered certified 
to the Assembly." 

For the Act see Hening, VI, 270. It is from this Act that we 
discover the lines between Truro and Cameron, the Act providing 
for the division being lost except its title. 

28 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

run and Four Mile run, Edward Masterson and 
William Gleading between Four Mile run and 
Hunting Creek, Sampson Darrell and John Posey 
between Hunting Creek and Dogue run, Edward 
Violet and William Ashford between Dogue run 
and Accotink, Abraham Barnes and Robert Bog- 
gess between Accotink and Pohick, William Rear- 
don and John Hereford between Pohick and Oc- 
coquan to Sandy run, Thomas Ford and Richard 
Simpson from Sandy run to Popes Head and the 
branches of Difficult. 

1752. The Glebe was sold at auction and 
bought by Mr. William Ramsay for fifty pounds 
current money; and 176 acres of land adjoining 
the old Glebe was bought of Rev. Charles Green 
for 13,500 pounds of tobacco. Proposals were in- 
vited for buildings on the Glebe according to law, 
the dwelling house to be of brick, to contain in 
the clear about 1200 feet, of one story and a cellar 
and convenient rooms and closets; to be advertised 
in the Gazette and at the several Churches and 
the Courthouse. In October Mr. Thomas Waite 
contracted for the dwelHng house and other houses 
on the Glebe for 425 pounds current money, and 
Rev. Charles Green undertook to do the rest of 
the building necessary, apparently without com- 
pensation. 

The Clerk of the Upper Church was directed to 
''read prayers every intervening Sunday," and was 
allowed 1200 pounds of tobacco for his salary. 

29 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Alexandria 

1753, June 4th. "On the petition of Capt. John 
West ordered that the Rev. Mr. Charles Green do 
preach every third Sunday at the Town of Alex- 
andria." This is the first time Alexandria is men- 
tioned in this record, and this is probably the date 
of the first Chlrch services there. Hitherto it has 
not been supposed that there had been Church ser- 
vice at Alexandria before 1762. It is not generally 
known that the site of Alexandria was included in 
a grant of land, (6,000 acres,) extending from 
Hunting Creek to the Little Falls, from Sir Wil- 
liam Berkeley to Robert Howson. In October, 
1669, Howson, ^oi' six hogsheads of tobacco, con- 
veyed these lands to John Alexander, who, with 
his brothers Robert and Gerard, had emigrated 
from Scotland. (See Dinwiddle Papers, Vol. I, p. 
89.) There had been for some years warehouses 
at Pohick, Hunting Creek, and at Thomas Lee's 
land at the Falls, Avhen, in 1748, a town named 
Alexandria was established by Act of Assembly 
at LIunting Creek Warehouse, sometimes called 
Belle-Haven. 

In 1754 there is liiention of the payment of 100 
pounds of tobacco to Capt. John West for "part 
of building the desk at Alexandria." And in 1756 
the Churchwardens are ordered "to have seats 
made for the Church at Alexandria."'"'' 



*Strange to say these are the only mentions made in this Ves- 
try Book of any levy or appropriation for building, furnishing- or 

30 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 
Colchester 

As Colchester was a conspicuous feature of 
Truro Parish it may be well to record here that it 
was established as a Town by Act of Assembly in 
1753-4 on 25 acres of land belonging to Peter 
Wagener, as being "very convenient for trade, and 
greatly to the ease of frontier inhabitants." The 
Trustees and Directors were Peter Wagener, 
Daniel McCarty, John Barry, William EUzey, and 
Edward Washington, all Vestrymen of Truro Par- 
ish. 

1754. Messrs. George Mason, Daniel McCarty, 
and Hugh West, who had been appointed to view" 
the buildings on the Glebe as they progressed, 
made a report, showing the manliness of the times, 
which some modern Vestries would do well to 
imitate. They say the bricks are not lit to be 
used, and that the following notice should be given 
to Mr. Waite, the undertaker, and his securities : — 
"Mr. Waite: The Vestry are of opinion that none 
of the bricks of the two first kilns are fit to be 
put into the walls of the Glebe House, but that 
what is done be pulled down and done with good 
bricks and that the cellar windows be done with 
good ring oak or locust; and that in case you begin 
anew that they will allow you six months further 



repairing a Church in Alexandria; though hereafter the Clerk and 
the Sexton at Alexandria are regularly paid as at tlie other 
Churches. It is probable therefore that Capt. West and others 
themselves provided a hall or Chapel for services, even paying in 
part for building the desk. 

31 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

than the time mentioned in your bond to compleat 
it." 

''Ordered, that the King's Attorney do prose- 
cute for this Parish." 

The Hon. William Fairfax was appointed Ves- 
tryman in the room of Hugh West, deceased. The 
Churchwardens were directed to give notice for 
the impotent people of the Parish to appear before 
the Vestry the following May, and also any person 
who will undertake to board them. 

September, 1755. The time for processioning 
land recurs, and some of the details are given be- 
cause they throw light on the history of the Par- 
ish. David Piper, John Hereford, and Marielles 
Littlejohn are to procession the several tracts of 
land that have their beginnings between Occo- 
quan, Potomac river, Accotink run and the road 
that leads from Hunting Creek through the Glebe 
land to Occoquan. John Peak, Daniel French, 
John Posey, and Abednego Adams, between Ac- 
cotink, Potomac river. Hunting Creek and the 
road that leads from Hunting Creek through the 
Glebe land. John Dalton, Thomas Harrison, John 
Hunter, and Nathaniel Smith, between Hunting 
Creek, Potomac river, and the road that leads from 
Awbreys ferry to the upper Church and the road 
that leads from Cameron to the said Church. Guy 
Broadwater, James Robertson and James Donald- 
son, between the road that leads from Awbreys 
ferry to the upper Church and the road from up- 

32 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

per Church to Difficult run, and then down the 
run to Potomac river, and then down the river to 
Awbreys ferry. Lewis Ellzey, James Hawley, 
William Adams, and John Ratcliff, between the 
road that leads from Cameron to Difficult run, 
and up the run and Parish line till the line comes 
to the road that leads from Cameron by Capt. 
Lewis Ellzeys, and so down the said road to Cam- 
eron. Thomas Shaw, Presley Cox, James Jugo 
Dozier, Joseph Stephens, Sampson Demevill, and 
John Hampton between the road that leads from 
Cameron by Capt. Lewis Ellzeys to the Parish 
line, and so down the Parish line to Occoquan 
ferry, and then up the road by the Glebe to Hunt- 
ing Creek. 

Mrs. Sybil West is paid 1800 pounds of tobacco 
for elements for the Churches. Wm. Payne and 
Henry Gunnell chosen Vestrymen in 1756. 

1757. Geo. Wm. Fairfax chosen Vestryman in 
the room of his father, Hon. William Fairfax, de- 
ceased."^ Several parties were paid for attendance 
as witnesses in Churchwardens suit against Cole. 

^7S^' John West jun. becomes Clerk of the 
Vestry. George Mason, John West and Daniel 



*William Fairfax was a cousin of Thomas, Loi'd Fairfax, Pro- 
prietor of the Northern Neck, and his agent in Virginia until he 
himself came over. He was a Burgess from Prince William Co. 
from 1742 until 1744, when he became a member of the Governor's 
Council. George William. Fairfax was a Burgess from Frederick 
Co. from 1752 to 1755, and from Fairfax, 1756-58. He also became 
a member of the Council in 1768. He was a half brother of the 
Rev. Bryan, Lord Fairfax, afterward Rector of Christ Church. 
Alexandria. 

33 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

McCarty to examine the Parish papers and report 
to the next Vestry. 

1759. Mr. Waite, ''tho' often admonished," 
having failed in doing his work at the Glebe build- 
ings according to agreement, the Vestry take steps 
to annul his contract. William Bucklands finally 
completes the work and is paid the balance due 
Waite. Processioners were again appointed, be- 
ing generally those who had served before. 

1760 and 1 76 1. We have only the usual routine 
Parish items and appropriations for salaries, main- 
tenance of the poor, Physicians and Lawyers 
fees, etc. Mrs. Sybil West's account for elements 
for the Holy Communion is about iioo pounds of 
tobacco annually. 

George .Washington, Vestryman 

1762. October 25th. ''Ordered, that George 
Washington Esqr. be chosen and appointed one of 
the Vestrymen of this Parish in the room of Wil- 
liam Peake Gent, deceased."''^ 

The Falls Church 

"At a Vestry held at the Falls Church March 
28th, 1763. Present, Henry Gunnell, William 
Payne jun. Church Wardens, John West, William 
Payne (sen.) Chas. Broadwater, Thos. Wren, 



*Froin the Records of the County Court of Faii'fax," February 
15th, 1763: "George Washington Esqr. took the oaths according to 
Law repeated and subscribed the Test and subscribed to the Doc- 
trine and Discipline of the Church of England in order to qualify 
him to act as a Vestryman of Truro Parish." 

34 










7r 










iMiiriijL 




The Old Vestry Book 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Abra. Barnes, Danl. Mc.Carty, Robt. Boggess, and 
Geo. Washington, Vestrymen, Who being there 
met to examine into the state of the said Church, 
greatly in decay and want of repairs, and hkewise 
whether the same should be repaired or a new one 
built, and whether at the same place or removed to 
a more convenient one; — Resolved it is the 
opinion of this Vestry that the old Church is 
rotten and unfit for repair, but that a new Church 
be built at the same place. Ordered that the 
Clerk of the Vestry advertise in the Virginia and 
Maryland Gazettes for workmen to meet at the 
said Church on the 29th day of August next, if 
fair, if not the first fair day, to undertake the build- 
ing a Brick Church to contain 1600 feet on the 
floor, with a suitable gallery, and bring a plan for 
the Church and price according to the same." 

There is no record of a meeting in August. 
Probably no contractors appeared. 

October 3rd. 1763. "Ordered, that George 
William Fairfax and George Washington Esqrs. 
be appointed Church Wardens for the ensuing 
year." 

"Ordered, that the Vestry meet at Alexandria 
on the third Tuesday in March next in order to 
agree with workmen to undertake the building a 
Church at or near the old Falls Church, and that 
the Church Wardens advertise the same in the Vir- 
ginia and Maryland Gazettes to be continued six 
weeks; and that it will be then expected of each 

35 



. THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

workmen to produce a plan and estimate of the 
expense." The Parish Levy called for 30,000 
pounds of tobacco" towards building the Falls 
Church, to be sold for cash by the Church War- 
dens for the highest price they can get." Again 
there is no record of the meeting appointed for 
March (1764) being held.* But in the annual Levy 
laid in October of that year an additional 20,000 
pounds of tobacco is levied ''for building Churches 
in the Parish," and ordered to be sold as before. 
John Barry becomes Clerk of the Vestry. 

Second Division of Truro, and Formation of 
Fairfax Parish 

[Note by the Editor. — The facts in regard 
to the division of Truro, and the formation 
of Fairfax Parish, are not recorded in the Vestry 



* Perhaps the Church Wardens overlooked their charge to adA^er- 
tise for contractors until after this Vestry was to have met. But 
on May 17th, 1764, their advertisement appeared in the Maryland 
Gazette, a copy of which is preserved in the Library of Congress, 
and ran for six weeks, as follows: 

"Virginia, Fairfax county, March 20, 1764. 

Notice is hereby given to any Person or Persons, who are will- 
ing to undertake the Building a Brick Church at the Falls in Truro 
Parish in the County aforesaid, (to contain 1600 feet superficial 
Measure, with convenient Galleries,) That on the Third Monday in 
June next, there will be a meeting of the Vestry, at what is com- 
monly called the Upper Church; At which Time and Place, any 
Person or Persons, who will undertake the same, are desired to 
attend, with their Plans, and Estimate of the Expence, and to 
give Bond, with good Secui'ity, to the Church wardens of the said 
IParish, for his or their true performance. 

George W. Fairfax ' ^, , ^ ,. 

George Washington $ Church wardens." 

There is no record of a meeting of the Vestry on the third Mon- 
day in June, as specified above, and it is probable that this effort 
to secure a builder to undertake the Church was not successful. 
The present Falls Church was built a few years later by James 
Wren. 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Book, and were but imperfectly known to Dr. 
Slaughter. He was not acquainted with the final 
Act of Assembly dividing the Parishes, nor had 
he ever seen the original and complete paper by 
Gen. Washington giving the result of the various 
elections of Vestrymen held at this time, which 
explains, and explains away, the seeming fact that 
Washington was chosen, contrary to all precedent, 
if not law, to serve simultaneously on the Vestries 
of two distinct Parishes. For these reasons Dr. 
Slaughter's Histor)^ is, of necessity, at this point, 
radically imperfect; and the Editor feels that he 
will but carry out what would be the Author's 
wish, if it could be expressed, in departing from 
the manuscript for a few pages, and rewriting this 
portion of the Parish annals.] 

As early as 1761 a petition was presented to the 
Countv Court, and ordered certified to the Gen- 
eral Assembly, praying for a division of Truro 
Parish. The population of the County was in- 
creasing rapidly, there was an evident demand for 
more Churches and more services,, while the health 
of the Rev. Mr. Green was faiHng. A division was 
the natural remedy. No action seems to have 
been taken further however until the year, 1764. 
In the Journal of the House of Burgesses we read 
that on November ist of that year "A petition 
from sundry inhabitants of. the Parish of Truro, in 
the County of Fairfax praying that the said Parish 
be divided into two distinct Parishes, was pre- 

37 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

sented to the House and read." It was referred 
to Messrs. George Johnston and John West, the 
two Burgesses from Fairfax, to prepare and bring 
in a Bill agreeable to the prayer of the petitioners. 
November 3rd. Mr. Johnston presented the Bill 
for dividing the Parish of Truro, and it was passed 
on the 6th and agreed to by the Council on the 
26th. The Act provided that the division should 
take place from February ist, 1765, the line being 
— ''by Doeg creek from the mouth thereof to Mr. 
George Washington's mill, and from thence, by 
a straight line, to the plantation , of John Munroe, 
and the same course continued to the line that di- 
vides the counties of Fairfax and Loudoun." All 
between this line and the Potomac .was to be the 
new Parish of Fairfax. Each Parish was to elect 
its Vestry, at a time and place appointed by, the 
Sheriff, before the second of, the following April. 
(See Hening, VIII. 43.) The elections were held 
in Truro on March 25th and in Fairfax on March 
28th. 

This division was exceedingly favorable to the 
new Parish, but naturally it met with small favOr 
in Truro. Not only was she shorn. of much more 
than half her strength, but the congregation of 
Pohick, her one remaining Church, was divided, 
and Mount Vernon, with several other plantations 
which naturally belonged to this Church both 
from proximity and association, was now in Fair- 
fax Parish. Accordingly when the House of Bur- 

38 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

gesses, after a recess of several months, met again 
in May, we find, under date of May 14, 1765, that 
*'A petition of sundry inhabitants of the Parish of 
Truro, praying a more, equal division of the said 
Parish, also several petitions in opposition thereto, 
were presented to the House and read." These 
were referred to the Committe of Propositions and 
Grivances, "to examine into, the allegations there- 
of, and report the same with their opinion to the 
House." Of this Committee Mr. Johnston was a 
member, as was also George Washington, who at 
that time represented the County of Frederick, 
where he was also a large freeholder. On the 
15th the Committee reported two resolutions. 
First, that the petition from Truro, complaining 
of the inequality in the late division, and praying 
that a new division be made, by a line to begin at 
Clifton's or Johnson's ferry on the Potomac and to 
run from thence to the ford over Dogue run, and 
on by the line that was afterward adopted, was 
''reasonable." Second, that so much of the peti- 
tion from Fairfax Parish in opposition thereto as 
prays that if the Parishes, be divided it be by other 
lines as therein set forth was ''also reasonable." 
The first proposition was rejected, and the Com- 
mittee ordered to bring in a Bill in accordance 
with the second resolution. The new Act was 
presented the same day and recommitted, reported 
with amendments on the 22d, passed the 23d, 
agreed to by the Council, and was signed by the 

39 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Governor on June ist, so becoming a law on that 
date. 

The preamble of this Act states that "Whereas it 
is represented to this present General Assembly 
that the lines and boundaries whereby the Parish 
of Truro, in the County of Fairfax, was divided 
into two distinct Parishes, pursuant to an Act 
passed for that purpose in the former part of this 
present session .of Assembly, have made a very 
unequal division of the said Parish, by leaving 
nearly double the number of tithables in the new 
Parish of Fairfax than there are in Truro Parish, 
(sic) Be it therefore enacted &c. That the said Act 
be, and is hereby repealed, and declared null and 
void. And he it further enacted, That from and 
after the ninth day of June next the said Parish 
of Truro shall be divided into two distinct Par- 
ishes, in the following manner, that is to say; From 
the mouth of Little Hunting creek, up the same 
to the forks thereof; thence up the meanders of 
the south branch thereof, to the Gum Spring 
thereon; from thence by a straight line to the ford 
of Dogue run, where the back road from Colches- 
ter to Alexandria crosses the said run; and from 
thence by a straight line to the forks of Difficult." 
All above said lines to be Fairfax Parish, and all 
below to retain the name of Truro. New Vestries 
were to be elected in each Parish before the first 
of August following. Henry Lee, John Baylis, 
Foushee Tebbs, Allan Macrae, and William Car, 

40 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

gentlemen, were appointed commissioners to ad- 
just and divide the cost of the Glebe and improve- 
ments thereon, and of the Church plate, and the 
50,000 pounds of tobacco levied for building 
Churches and not yet expended, between the two 
Parishes according to the number of tithables in 
each at the time of the first division. (See Hening 
VIII. 157.) A plot and description of the above 
line, made by the County Surveyor, June 15, 1765, 
is on record in the Clerk's office of Fairfax County. 

It is evident that Washington himself, and his 
immense estate at Mount Vernon, was the princi- 
pal bone of contention between the mother and 
daughter Parishes. The lines proposed ran, 
the one on the south, the other on the north, of 
the estate. The one finally adopted divided it, 
leaving far the larger part, however, with the man- 
sion house, in Truro. That he would take an ac- 
tive interest in the settlement of the question was 
inevitable, and doubtless his direct agency is to be 
seen in the compromise petition which found favor 
with the House of Burgesses and was the basis 
of their legislation. The Act which was passed 
may well have been drawn by his own pen. In 
contrast with the previous Act it is unusually spe- 
cific in its details, and would seem to indicate the 
hand of the Surveyor, in its clearly described lines, 
and of the Church Warden in its accurate enumer- 
ation of the property and assets of the Parish. 

But .there is another silent witness to Washing- 

41 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

ton's concern in this division. In the Library of 
Congress there is preserved, among his journals 
and some other manuscript papers, a single sheet 
of foolscap written on both sides in his most formal 
hand, and giving the result, first of the elections 
of Vestries for the two Parishes held in March, 
1765, under the first Act of Assembly, and then of 
those held in July of the same year under the pro- 
visions of the second Act. The first page shows 
a large preponderance of .voters in Fairfax Parish 
at the first elections, bearing out the assertion that 
the first division was very unequal. The second 
page, with the simple calculation at the bottom, 
shows the number of voters in the two Parishes 
at the second election to have been nearly the 
same; 334 in Fairfax and 313 in Truro. Later the 
Vestry Book records that the new division gave 
to Fairfax Parish 1013 tithables, leaving 962 in 
Truro. 

This paper shows that at the first election, in 
March, 1765, Col. Washington was elected a Ves- 
tryman of the first , Fairfax Parish, he being, for 
the moment, a resident therein. The life of this 
Parish was exactly four months, and of this Vestry- 
elect two months and three days, even if its mem- 
bers ever qualified or met for organization, of 
which there is no evidence. In July, Mount Ver- 
non having, in the meantime, been restored to 
Truro, Col. Washington was again elected a Ves- 

42 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

tryman of Truro Parish, and was not eligible in 
any other. 

An accurate copy of this interesting paper, as 
written by Washington, will be found on the fol- 
lowing pages, being here published in complete 
form, it is beHeved, for the first time. 



43 



HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 



COPY OF PAPER IN WASHINGTON'S HANDWRITING, NOW IN 
THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
(First Page.) 
VESTRY CHOSEN FOR TRURO 
PARISH 25th, MARCH 1765 



with the Number of Votes to 
each. 

Mr. Edward Payne 234 

Colo. George Mason 210 

Captn. Daniel Mc.Carty ....181 

Mr. Thos. Withei's Coffer 174 

Mr. William Gardner 169 

Colo, George Wm, Fairfax , ,161 

Mr, Alexr. Henderson 15S 

Captn. Lewis Ellzey 152 

Mr. Thomison Ellzey 151 

Mr. Thomas Ford 151 

Mr. John Ford 141 

Ma.ir. Peter Wagener 126 

Candidates then rejected 

Doetr, Cookburn 
Mr. Benja, Grayson 
Mr, Joshua Furguson 
Mr. Edward Washington 
Mr, William Baylis 
Mr. Henry Boggess 
Mr. William Linton 
Mr, Marmaduke Beekwith 
Mr, John Thompson 
Mr, Thomas Lucas 
Mr, George Simpson 
Mr, Benja, Talbot 
Mr. Joseph Bennet 
Mr. John Daniel 
Mr, John Monroe 
Mr. James Halley 



VESTRY CHOSEN FOR PAIR- 
FAX PARISH 28th. MARCH 

1765 
with the Number of Votes to 
each 

Colo. John West 340 

-Mr. Charles Alexander 309 

Mr. William Payne 304 

Captn. John Dalton 281 

C. Geo. Washington 274 

Majr. Chs. Broadwater 260 

Captn. George Johnston ....254 

Mr. Townsend Dade 252 

Mr. Richd. Sanford 24 7 

Mr. Willm. Adams 244 

Captn. Posey 222 

Mr. Daniel French 221 

Candidates then rejected 

Mr. Thomas Wren 220 

Mr, James Wren 205 

Mr. Edward Blackburn 204 

Mr, John West Junr 199 

Mr. Edward Dulan 199 

Mr. Benja. Sebastian 160 

Mr, James Donaldson 131 

Mr. Henry Gunnel 126 

Mr. John Seal 120 

Mr, Charles Thrift , 112 

Captn, Sampson Darrell .... 



44 



HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 



(Second 
VESTRY CHOSEN FOR TRURO 
PARISH 22d. JULY 1765 

with the Number of Votes for 

each- 
Colo. Geo. Mason 282 

Captn. Edwd. Payne 277 

Colo. Geo. Washington 259 

Captn. John Posey 259 

Captn. Daniel Mc.Carty ....246 

Colo. Geo. Wm. Fairfax 235 

Mr. Alexander Henderson . .231 

Mr, William Gardner 21S 

Mr. Thomison Ellzey 209 

Mr. Thos. Withers Coffer ... .189 

Mr. Wiliam Lynton 173 

Mr. Thomas Ford 170 



Page. ) 

VESTRY CHOSEN FOR FAIR- 
FAX PARISH 25th. JULY 1765 

with the Number of Votes for 
each. 

Colo. West 309 

Mr. William Payne 28!) 

Mr. William Adams 250 

Captn. John Dal ton 247 

Mr. Thos. Wren 237 

Mr. Edward Dulan 228 

Majr. Chs. Broadwater 225 

Mr. Richard Sanford 225 

Mr. Daniel French , . .210 

Mr. Edward Blackburn 210 

Mr. Thos. Shaw 209 

Mr. Townsend Dade 205 



Mr. Henry Boggess 168 

Mr. Joshua Furguson 162 

Mr. Edward Washington . . . .154 

Mr. George Simpson 153 

Majr. Peter Wagener 146 

Mr. Benja. Grayson 139 

Mr. William Baylis 80 



Ml". James Wren 205 

Mr. Charles Alexander 204 

Mr. Robert Alexander 204 

Captn. George Johnston ... .183 

Mr. Sampson Darrel 151 

Mr. Benja. Sebastian 150 

Mr. Presley Cox S5 



Whole Number of Vote.<?. . . . 3756 Whole Number of Vote.s. . . .4012 

12/3756/313 Number of Voters 12/4012/334 Number of Voters 
15 41 

36 52 



45 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Jared Sparks, in his Life , of Washington and 
also in the Writings of Washington which he 
edited, not understanding the meaning of this 
paper nor Washington's obvious purpose in pre- 
paring it, pubHshed a small part of it only, namely 
the two lists of Vestrymen elected, the one in Fair- 
fax Parish on March 28th and the other in Truro 
Parish on July 226., in which the name of Wash- 
ington appears. He thus gave rise to the ground- 
less tradition, which has been so generally adopted 
and perpetuated by succeeding writers, that Wash- 
ington served as a Vestryman in both of these 
Parishes, and presumably at the same time, though 
Sparks is careful not to assert this. But had he 
published the whole paper the error would not 
have arisen. 

Bishop Meade says he had seen a printed list of 
these Vestries which was supposed to have come 
from "A leaf of the old Pohick Vestry Book which 
had by some means gotten into the Historical So- 
ciety of New York." Dr. Slaughter, at this place, 
gives this list as "Verified by Mrs. Burton Har- 
rison, who kindly inspected the missing leaf in the 
New York Historical Society rooms and sent me 
a copy of it." This list agrees substantially with 
that given by Sparks, as do they both, as far as 
they go, with the original list written by Washing- 
ton, though both omit the titles before the dififer- 
ent names which Washington, with old-fashioned 
punctiliousness, was so careful to give. The New 

46 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

York list, however, whatever its source, is not from 
a leaf of the Vestry Book as Bishop Meade un- 
derstood. 

One frequently ^ finds the assertion made by 
careless writers that Washington was a Vestry- 
man of Pohick, or some other, CImrch. Such a 
statement is, of course, inaccurate, and Washing- 
ton himself would hardly have understood what 
was meant by it. In his day Vestries in Virginia 
were confined to Parishes, usually containing two 
or three Churches. Pohick is the only Church re- 
maining which stood in ^Washington's time in the 
Parish of which he was a Vestryman. The pres- 
ent Falls Church and Christ Church, Alexandria, 
were built in Fairfax Parish soon after its separa- 
tion from Truro. 

The Vestry chosen for Truro at the March elec- 
tions held but one meeting. This was on April 
26, 1765, at the house of Samuel Littlejohn. 

[We now resume the thread of the History as 
written by Dr. Slaughter.] 

During the current year the Minister of the 
Parish, the Rev. Charles Green, departed this life. 
There is no formal notice of his decease in the 
Vestry Book. It was not the custom of the times 
to pass resolutions on such occasions. It is only 
referred to in the business items, four months' 
salary due being ordered paid to his executor. 
Falls Church and Alexandria were no longer in 
Truro, so it became possible to have another place 

47 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

of worship. Accordingl}^ the Vestry rented from 
Samuel Little John the tobacco house on his plan- 
tation^ for one thousand pounds of tobacco a year, 
until a Church could be built in the upper part of 
the present Parish, he agreeing to keep it clean 
and provide water for the congregation. An 
agreement was made with John Robertson to fit 
up this house with six benches the length of the 
house and two at the ends; a reading desk and 
Communion table, with a small window on each 
side of the desk; to lay plank on the joists the 
width of eight feet, with a rail in front, and two 
broad step ladders, and to stop the eaves; all to 
be done in the plainest manner, within six months, 
for 1400 pounds of tobacco. When the house was 
given up the plank used was to remain for the use 
of the Parish. 

The Rev. James Scott, of Dettingen Parish, the 
grandfather of the late Judge Scott, of Fauquier, 
often officiated in Truro in the interval between 
the Rev. Mr. Green and his successor, Mr. Mas- 
sey. He received payment altogether for forty 
sermons, at 332 pounds of tobacco each. The 
Rev. John Andrews, of Cameron Parish, also 
preached twice, at the same rate. 

The Vestry, (that elected in July,) had a pro- 
tracted meeting on the 28th, 29th and 30th of No- 
vember, 1765, when the accounts between the two 
Parishes were settled as far as could be done at 

48 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

that time. The settlement is spread upon the min- 
utes in full, but is uninteresting.* 

It was ordered, That the agreement made with 
Samuel Littlejohn by the former Vestry be con- 
tinued; That Elijah Williams be appointed Reader 
at Littlejohn's, and that he attend there to read 
Divine Service every Sunday, and that he be paid 
at the rate of looo pounds of tobacco a year; That 
Mr. George Johnston be appointed to act as At- 
torney for the Parish, and that he return a list of 
all the judgments obtained by him to the Church 
Wardens by the first of November annually; and 
That the Vestry meet at Mr. WilHam Gardner's 
on first Monday in February next to agree with 
workmen to undertake the building of a brick 
Church to contain 1600 superficial feet; the Church 
Wardens to advertise the same in as public a man- 
ner as may be, and each workman to bring a plan 
and estimate of expense. George Mason and Ed- 
ward Payne were continued as Church Wardens 
for the next year, and the latter was appointed 
Collector of the Parish Levy, giving bond and se- 
curity as was the custom. f John Barry was con- 

*An echo of the contest over the Pai'ish lines is found in two 
items charged against Truro: "To Mr. Thomizen Ellzey for run- 
ning the line from Johnson's ferry to the fork of DifRcult," and 
"To Majr. Wagener for copying six lists of tithables in April, 
1765." 

fThe Levy this year was 60 pounds of tobacco per poll, as 
against from 20 to 37 pounds for many years before the division. 
It continued to range at from 60 to 80 pounds for six years follow- 
ing, while Payne's and the new Pohick Churches were being built, 
after which it gradually fell to about the former average. It is 
probable that the Vestrymen themselves paid one-half of the tithes 
of the Parish, Washington and Mason being doubtless the largest 
ratepayers. 

49 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

tinued as Clerk of the Vestry; and the third Fri- 
day in November annually was appointed as a 
day for meeting. 



Payne's Church 

''At a Vestry held for Truro Parish at William 
Gardner's on the 3rd and 4th days of February, 
1766 — 

Present, Mr. Edwd. Payne, C. W. 
Colo. Geo. Washington Mr. William Gardner 
Capt. Daniel Mc.Carty Thomas Withers Cofifer 
Colo. Geo. Wm. Fairfax Wm. Linton & 
Mr. Alexr. Henderson Thos. Ford 

Vestrymen. 
Who being there met to enquire the most con- 
venient place to erect a new Church, and to agree 
with workmen to build the same. 

''Resolved, that the new Church be built on the 
middle Ridge near the Ox road, the ground to be 
laid off by Mr. Edward Payne, Mr. William 
Gardner, Mr. Thos. Withers Coffer and Mr. 
Thos. Ford, or any three of them, on the land sup- 
posed to be belonging to Mr. Thomazen Ellzey, 
who being present consents to the same. 

"Agreeable to a plan and articles annexed there- 
to Mr. Edward Payne hath undertaken to build 
the said Church for the sum of five hundred and 
seventy-nine pounds Virginia Currency. 

"Ordered that the said Edward Payne do paint 

50 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

the cornish, windows and doors of the said Church 
and bring in his charge thereof. And that he pay 
to Mr. John A3a'es forty shihings for his plan and 
estimate. 

''Ordered that Col. Geo. Washington, Capt. 
Daniel McCarty, Colo. Geo. Wm. Fairfax, Mr. 
Alex. Henderson and Mr. Thos. Ford, or any 
three of them, do view and examine the said build- 
ing from time to time as shall be requisite. 

"Ordered that 31,549 lb. of tobo. in the hands of 
the Church Wardens for the year 1764, to wit, 
George Washington and George Wm. Fairfax 
Esqrs. be sold to the highest bidder, before the 
Court House door of this County on the first day 
of June Court next between the hours of 12 and 
4, and that pubHck notice be given of the sale." 

"Memorandum of an Agreement made this 
fourth day of February one thousand seven 
hundred and sixty six, between the Vestry of Truro 
Parish in the Count}^ of Fairfax and Edward Payne 
of the Parish of Truro and County aforesaid as fol- 
lows, vizt. — 

"The said Edward Payne does undertake and 
agree to build and finish in a Workman like man- 
ner a Church on the Ox Road, to be placed agree- 
able to an order of the said Vestry, of the follow- 
ing Demensions & according to the annexed Plan, 
to wit, Fifty three and an half feet in length, and 
thirty feet in breadth in the Clear; the walls to be 
built of good Bricks, well burnt, of the ordinary 

SI 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

size, that is nine Inches long, four and an half In- 
ches broad, and three Inches thick, the outside 
Bricks to be laid with Mortar two thirds lime and 
one third sand, the inside Bricks to be laid with 
Mortar half lime and half sand. The Corners of 
the House, the Windows & Doors, to be of rubb xl 
Brick — The Arches and Pediment heads of the 
Doors and Windows to be of Bricks rub1:)ed 
gauged and set in Putty. 

"The Doors to be made of Pine Plank, two In- 
ches thick, moulded and raised Pannells on both 
sides. 

"The Sashes to be made of Pine Plank, one Inch 
and three quarters thick, and to have Sixteen 
lights in each square Sash, of the best crown-Glass, 
twelve Inches by ten. The Window and Door 
Cases to be made with double Archatraves. 

"The floors and Gallery to be framed with good 
Oak, the Roof to be framed with good Poplar — 
and the Scantling to be of a size and proper Pro- 
portion to the Building. 

"The Roof to be covered with Inch pine Plank 
cyphered and lapt, one and an half Inches. And 
to be Shingled with good Cypress Shingles, twenty 
Inches in length and to show six Inches. 

"The Cornish to be in Proportion to the hight 
of the Walls (which are to be twenty two feet and 
an half,) with Dentile Blocks. 

"The floors to be laid with pine Plank, one and 
an half Inch thick, the lies to be laid with Brick 

52 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Tyles, the Pews to be wainscotted with Pine plank, 
an Inch and an half thick, double work on each 
side of the framing and raised pannel on one side. 

"To have an Altar Piece sixteen feet high & 
twelve feet wide, and done with wainscot after the 
Ionic order. The floor of the Communion place 
to be raised twelve Inches higher than the floor 
of the house with hand rails and Banisters of black 
Walnut. 

"The Pulpit, Canopy and reading Desks to be of 
black walnut, Wainscoted with proper Cornish. 

"The Gallery to be supported by CoUums turned 
& fluted, to come out as far as the second Window 
at the West end of the Church, to have a Wain- 
scoted front, and to have four Seats raised one 
behind and above another. The whole to be done 
and finished by the first Day of October in the 
Year one thousand seven hundred and Sixty eight, 
in sufficient and workmanlike manner, agreeable 
to the Plan aforesaid. 

"In Consideration whereof the said Vestry do 
agree to pay unto the said Edward Payne the sum 
of Five hundred and Seventy nine pounds Virginia 
Currency in manner following to wit, one third 
part of the said sum to be paid on the first Day 
of July next — another third part when the Church 
is covered, and the remaining part when the whole 
work is compleated and finished. In Witness 
whereof the said Parties (to wit) the Members of 
the said Vestry here Present and the said Edward 

53 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Payne have hereunto interchangeably set their 
Hands the Day and Year first above written. 

"The said Edward Payne is also to Ceil, Plaister 
& Whitewash the inside of the said Church in a 
proper manner, and to find and put on Locks and 
Hinges on the Doors & hinges on the Pews &c. 
"Signed &;c. Go. Washington 

in presence of Daniel Mc.Carty 

Lee Massey Go. Wm. Fairfax 

John Barry A. Henderson 

John Tillett WiUiam Gardner 

Thos. Withers Cofifer 
William Linton 
Thos. Ford 
A true copy Edwd. Payne. 

Test, John Barry, Clk. Vestry." 

The Rev. Lee Massey, Second Rector 

At this same meeting of the Vestry the follow- 
ing action was taken: "Whereas Mr. Lee Mas- 
sey, an Inhabitant of this Parish, having this day 
offered to supply the place of a Minister therein, 
and the Vestry being of opinion that he is a person 
well qualified for the sacred function, have agreed 
to recommend him to the favour of His Grace the 
Bishop of London and of the Governor of this 
Colony, for an Introduction to this said Parish, 
and to receive him upon his return properly quali- 
fied to discharge the said ofiice." 

54 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

'Tn consequence of the aforesaid Resolve a 
Recommendation to his Lordship the Bishop of 
London, and an address to his Honour the Gover- 
nor of this Colony in favour of Mr. Lee Massey 
being- made out, are ordered hereafter to be re- 
corded." 

"At a Vestry held for Truro Parish in the 
County of Fairfax and Colony of Virginia, the 
fourth day of February in the year of our Lord 
one thousand seven hundred and sixty six. 
To His Grace the Bishop of London. 

Whereas Mr. Lee Massey purposes to enter into 
holy Orders and hath applied to this Vestry for 
their Recommendation to his Grace the Bishop of 
London and to his Honour the Governor of Vir- 
ginia and offers and engages so soon as he shall 
be properly Ordained to return to Virginia and 
receive and accept of this Parish of Truro now 
vacant by the death of the late Rector, the Rever- 
end Mr. Charles Green, Provided we will keep the 
same vacant for him during our right of Patron- 
age, or the Governor will be pleased to induct him 
into it, if the Vestry's right of Patronage is ex- 
pired when he returns. And the said Lee Massey 
having lived several years amongst us and his 
moral Character and unexceptionable Life and 
Conversation being well known to most of us, we 
beg leave to recommend him to his Grace the 
Bishop of London as a Person well qualified for 
the Sacred Function, and also to the Favor of the 

55 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Honourable Francis Fauquier Esqr. Governor of 
this Colony, and humbly entreat him to induct the 
said Mr. Lee Massey into this Parish of Truro in 
case he should return after the expiration of our 
right of Patronage, On which condition we do 
hereby agree and oblige ourselves to keep the said 
Parish vacant accordingly, and to receive and pro- 
vide for the said Mr. Lee Massey as Rector there- 
of according to the Laws of this Colony. 

In Testimony whereof we being Vestrymen of 
the said Parish of Truro, (and all that are now 
present,) have hereunto set our hands the day and 
year above written. 

Edwd. Payne Go. Washington 

Daniel Mc.Carty Go. Wm. Fairfax 

A. Henderson . William Gardner 

Thos. Withers Coffer Thos. Ford 

W^illiam Linton 

Copy. John Barry, Clk. Vestry. 

Fairfax County, Truro Parish, Feby. 4th, 1766. 
Sir, 

We the Vestry of Truro Parish l3eg leave to 
recommend to yr. Llonour's Notice and P^avoiu*, 
the Bearer, Mr. Lee Massey, who has an Intention 
of entering into holy Orders, provided he can 
have a certainty of this Parish, and as his Charac- 
ter and Personal Merit is well known to us, w^e 
are very desirous of receiving him, and have given 
him the best Title in our Power. But it being 

56 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

probable that he cannot return from England 
while the Parish remains in our disposal, we most 
earnestly recommend him to your Honour's good 
offices herein, and if you will be pleased to favour 
him with an Induction or Presentation to this 
Parish, in case he returns after the Expiration of 
our right, we will engage to keep the same vacant 
for him as long as it is in our power. "^ An answer 
will very particularly oblige, — Your Honour's 
most obedt, humble Servants. — 
Edwd. Payne Go. Washington 

Daniel Mc.Carty Go. Wm. Fairfax 

A. Henderson William Gardner 

Thos. Withers Coffer Thos. Ford 

William Linton 
To the Hon.ble Francis Fauquier Esqr. Lieut. 

Governor of Virginia. 
Copy. 

Test John Barry Clk. Vestry. 

At a Vestry held July loth, 1766, there were 
present as above with the addition of Col. George 



*These letters recall the old contest between the Governors and. 
the Vestries in regard to the right of presentation and the induc- 
tion of Ministers into the Parishes. The early Governors claimed 
the right of Patronage as the representatives of the Crown, and in 
some instances sought to exercise it by forcing unwelcome Ministers 
upon certain Parishes. But the claim, or at least its enforcement, 
was vigorously resisted. Many of the Vestries adopted the plan of 
electing their Ministers year by year, thus avoiding a vacancy but 
saving the risk of having an inefficient or unworthy Minister sad- 
dled upon them and drawing his legal salary for life. A law passed 
in 1748 declared the sole right of presentation to remain in the 
Vestry for twelve months after a vacancy occurred. After that it 
was supposed to rest with the Governor. This is the law the Vestry 
here had in mind. Fortunately the Vestry of Truro was saved 
from all trouble in respect to their Ministers by being able to choose 
good men already known to them and sending them to England 
for orders. 



^7 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Mason. Church Warden Edward Payne, who had 
been previously directed to enquire into certain 
deficiencies in the work ordered done on the Falls 
Church in 1763, reported that he had apphed to 
the persons formerl).^ appointed to view this work 
and they had denied having had any orders to view 
the same and refused to concern themselves. 
Whereupon it was ordered that Thomas Price 
view^ the work and report what deficiencies appear 
therein, that Mr. Payne attend as representative 
of this Vestry and request the Fairfax Vestry to 
appoint a workman and one of their members to 
attend the view on behalf of their Parish. Tobacco 
on hand was ordered to be sold at July and August 
Courts. 

At the regular meeting in November the Parish 
Levy was laid, amounting to 55,860 pounds of 
tobacco; of which 35,000 was for "building 
Churches." Col. George Washington and Mr. 
William Gardner were appointed Church War- 
dens for the ensuing year, and were ordered to 
receive the money due from George W^ashington, 
Geo. Wm. Fairfax, Capt. McCarty and William 
Pa3'-ne, former Church Wardens, and pay Edward 
Payne what was due to him. Mr. Gardner was 
also appointed Collector. 

1767. February 23d. At a Vestry held this day 
there were present George Washington Esqr. and 
Mr. William Gardner, Church Wardens, and 
Messrs. Mason, Payne, Posey, McCarty, Hender- 

58 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

son, Coffer, Linton, and Thomazen Ellzey. "Pur- 
suant to an Act of the General Assembly entitled 
an Act to empower the Vestry of Truro Parish in 
the County of Fairfax to sell their Glebe and 
Church Plate — Ordered that the said Glebe and 
Church Plate be sold at Public Vendue on Friday 
the 22(1 of May next. The sale to be upon the 
premises, and the Purchaser or Purchasers to be 
allowed eighteen months credit, giving bond with 
good security." 

The Church Wardens were ordered to employ 
a Surve3^or to run the lines of the Glebe land and 
to make a plot thereof. Also to advertise the 
same with a proper description of land and im- 
provements, and the Church plate, in the Virginia 
and Maryland Gazettes. 

4 "The Rev. Lee Massey having produced to this 
Vestr}^ a presentation to the Rectory, Benefice and 
Cure of this Parish under the hand of Francis Fau- 
quier Esqr. Lieutenant Governor &c. of Virginia 
and under the Seal of the Colony, dated January 
the 14th. 1767, Ordered that the said Lee Massey 
be accordingly received into this Parish as Min- 
ister thereof, and be provided for pursuant to the 
Laws of this Colony." Mr. Masse}^ was also al- 
lowed "the Annual Sum of 4000 pounds of tobacco 
in lieu of a Glebe until one is purchased." 

James Wren and Thomas Price, the workmen 
appointed to view the work done to Falls Church, 
reported that there appeared to be a deficiency 

59 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

in the work of nine pounds fourteen shillings and 
sixpence. The Church Wardens were ordered 
to "apply to Maj. Charles Broadwater (the Under- 
taker of the said work) for the said sum and ac- 
count with the Vestry of Fairfax Parish for their 
proportion of the same when it is received." 

''Ordered that a Vestry House be built at the 
new Church of the dimensions and in manner 
following Vizt. of Brick, twenty by sixteen feet, 
with a large inside chimney, nine feet pitch from 
the Foundation, with Brick or Tile floor, covered 
with Cypress Shingles, Ceihng and Walls Plaist- 
ered and whitewashed, one pannell Door in the 
broad side, with a Sash Window with twelve 
Lights and pannel Shutters opposite. Barge 
board and Cornis. The Barge boards and Cornis, 
Door Window and Shutters to be painted, a Lock 
to the Door. The said House to be furnished with 
a Table and three Benches, for making which and 
the Cornis the Undertaker to be allowed a suffi- 
ciency of Planks out of the Parishes Plank now in 
Samuel Littlejohn's Tobacco House." All was to 
be finished by Christmas, and Edward Payne un- 
dertook the work for Fifty one pounds ten shill- 
ings, current money. 

The Vestry met again on May 22d., the da}^ of 
the sale, at the Glebe. Present, Rev. Lee Mas- 
sey. Minister, George Washington and William 
Gardner Church Wardens, and Messrs. Mason, 
Payne, Mc.Carty, Posey and Linton. 

60 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

"Mr. Thomazen Ellzey having returned a Plott 
of a Survey made of the Glebe Land, pursuant to 
a former order of the Vestry, contaming three 
hundred eighty five Acres and an half only, which 
said Quantity of Land being exposed to sale to 
the highest Bidder was purchased by Daniel 
Mc.Carty Gent, at the price of Three hundred and 
twenty two pounds Virginia Currency, who gave 
his Bond with Mr. Richard Chichester his Secur- 
ity for the same, payable eighteen months hence, 
to George Washington and William Gardner, 
Church Wardens, for the Use of this Parish." 

"The Church Plate being also exposed to sale, 
was purchased by the said Daniel Mc.Carty, at 
the price of Twenty six pounds, Virginia Cur- 
rency, for the Use of the Parish." 

The Vestry met again July 25th, 1767. Pres- 
ent, Col. Washington and Mr. Gardner, Church 
Wardens, and Messrs. Payne, Mc.Carty, Fairfax, 
Henderson, Ellzey and Linton. George Washing- 
ton and George William Fairfax exhibited ac- 
counts of tobacco levied in 1763, and the sale 
thereof and payments made to Edward Payne. 
Account received and approved. Mr. Payne ex- 
hibited similar accounts of tobacco levied in 1765, 
and of money received by him for building the 
new Church and the balance still due, which wxre 
approved. Tobacco in the hands of William Gard- 
ner, Collector, ordered sold. Balance due Mr. 
Payne on second payment for the Church to be 

61 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

paid, and the residue of the money to remain in 
the Collector's hands, he giving bond with fresh 
security for its payment when demanded. 

Col. George Mason, Capt. McCarty, Mr. Ellzey 
and Mr. Linton appointed to view the new Vestry 
House, and if they receive the same the Collector 
to pay Mr. Payne the contract price. 

"George William Fairfax Esqr. having con- 
sented to import for the Use of this Parish (at the 
Risque of the Parish) two folio Prayer Books and 
a Quarto Bible, Ordered that upon receipt thereof 
the Church Wardens for the time being pay bins 
for the same, if they have so much money in their 
hands." 

Orders for Processioning: — James Halley Sen, 
and Moses Simpson, between Occoquan, the Ox 
road and the County line. George Simpson and 
William Keen, between the Ox road and the Back- 
lick road from the Parish line down to the road 
that leads from Cameron by the Glebe to where 
it crosses Pohic, below Robert Boggess'. Wil- 
liam Triplett and Joseph Cash, between the Back- 
lick road, the Parish line, Potowmack river and 
Pohic Creek. 

On September 28th, 1767, the Vestry met for 
the fifth time during this fiscal 3^ear. Present, 
Rev. Lee Massey, Washington, Gardner, Mason, 
Posey, Pa^aie, Coffer, Ellzey and Ford. The min- 
utes recite several former orders for the sale of 
tobacco and payments to be made by the Col- 

62 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

lector, none of which had been compHed with ex- 
cept one sale of 15,000 pounds to Mr. Hector 
Ross, for which his note was now given to the 
Church Wardens; it was ordered that Mr. Ross 
pay Mr. Payne what was due him on the second 
payment for the Church and for the Vestry House 
when it should be received by the viewers. And 
the Collector was to account with the Vestry at 
its next meetinsf for the tobacco remaining: in his 
hands. 



The New Pohick Church 

1767. The annual meeting for laying the Par- 
ish Levy was held November 20th. Present, the 
entire Vestry. 

''Resolved, that a Church be built at or as near 
the Cross Road leading from Hollis's to Pohic 
Warehouse as water can be had, which resolution 
was carried by a majority of seven to five." 

Bishop Meade has handed down a tradition as 
to the part which Washington took in the location 
of this Church. Although no allusion is made to 
it in the Vestry Book it is good enough to be 
true and therefore we reproduce it, as follows : 
"The Old Pohick Church was a frame building, 
and occupied a site on the south side of Pohick 
run, and about two miles from the present site 
which is on the north side of the run. When it 
was no longer fit for use, it is said the parishioners 

63 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

were called together to determine on the locality 
of the new Church, when George Mason, the com- 
patriot of Washington, advocated the old site, 
pleading that it was the house in which their 
fathers worshipped, and that the graves of many 
were around it, while Washington and others ad- 
vocated a more central and convenient one. The 
question was left unsettled, and another meeting 
for its decision appointed. Meanwhile Washing- 
ton surveyed the neighborhood, and marked the 
houses and distances on a well-drawn map, and, 
when the day of decision arrived, met all the ar- 
guments of his opponent by presenting this paper, 
and thus carried his point." It was the Vestry, 
however, and not the parishioners, who fixed on 
the site. The old site was nearer to Gunston and 
the new one nearer Mount Vernon."^ 

To return to this Vestry meeting : — It was "Or- 
dered, that Mr. William Grayson be appointed At- 
torney for this Parish, and that he be paid fees 
only upon such suits as he obtains judgments for." 

The Collector being still not ready to settle his 
accounts a special Vestry was appointed to meet 
in March following to receive from him the to- 



*This story is given by Sparks in his Life of Washington, and 
is repeated, by Lossinsr and others. The first discussion probably 
took place at the Vestry held on September 28th, at which time 
both Mason and Washington were present but four Vestrymen were 
absent. The question would naturally be deferred until Messrs. 
Fairfax, Henderson, Mc.Carty and Linton could be heard, and no 
mention of a fruitless debate would be made on the minutes. The 
interest taken in the matter, and perhaps the opposition to the 
new site, is indicated by the full atendance at this Vestry, and by 
the mention made of the vote by which the change in location was 
adopted. 



64 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

bacco due, and the Clerk was ordered to give his 

securities notice thereof. 

The Parish accounts, to meet which the annual 

Levy was laid, are given in full for this year, Wash- 
ington having been Church Warden and principal 

administrator of Parish affairs. 

Dr. 
Tobacco. £. s. d. 

To Rev. Lee Massey's salary.. 17,280 

John Barry, Clk. of Pohic... 1,000 

Elijah Williams, do. Little- 

john's 1,000 

Do. for three days extra 
attendance 60 

Mr. Peter Wagener, Clerk of 

the County (}2y 

Rev. Lee Massey, in lieu of a 

Glebe 4,000 

Rev. James Scott, for 6 ser- 
mons 1^992 

Samuel Littlejohn, Sexton, 

&c 1,000 

Charles Wright, Do. at Po- 
hic 560 

Grafton Kirk for maintg. 

Sarah Jackson 400 

William Cullison, per acct.... 100 

John Hollis, for the board of 
Dorothy Chesher, from the 
25th. of May to this date . . 200 

65 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Samuel Russell for his sup- 
port, he being allowed- to 
remove to Cameron Parish, 
his claim to continue 500 

Mr. William Grayson, per acct 600 

Doctr. James Nisbett, per 

acct 8 15 o 

George Washington Esqr. per 

acct I 13 9 

George Mason Esqr. for find- 
ing ellaments twice . 200 

William Gardner, bal. per acct. 
as Church Warden, exclu- 
sive of the Collection acct. 
that not being settled 500 & 3 12 3 

Robert Loyd, for his support.. 500 

John Hollis, for his support. . 500 

(These were also exempted 
from paying Levy in fu- 
ture.) 

Thomazen Ellzey, per acct.. 3 10 8 

John Barry, Clk. Vestry, sal- 
ary and extra services .... 850 

Charles Wright, for making a 

back and hearth 5 o 

Thomazen Ellzey, for extra 

services 5 ^ ^ 

Tobacco for building a 

Church 7,000 

38,169 29 16 o 

66 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

To 6 per Ct. for Collecting 

38,169 lb. of Tobo 2,290 

To a fraction in the Collectors 

hands 254 



40,713 
Cr. 

By 993 Tithables at 41 lbs. of 

Tobacco per Poll 40,713 

Cash accounts due ordered paid out of money 
in hands of Mr. Hector Ross. John Posey and 
Thomazen Ellzey appointed Church Wardens for 
the next year. 

1768. March 5th. Mr. Gardner settled his ac- 
count by paying 18,011 lbs. of transfer tobacco and 
25 pounds in cash, which were lodged in the hands 
of George Mason Esqr. Mr. Gardner to have the 
privilege of exchanging four hogsheads of his own 
crop for transfer tobacco, and to redeem the 
money with 2,101 lbs. of transfer tobacco. 

''Ordered, that Hector Ross pay out of the 
money in his hands to George William Fairfax 
Esqr. the sum of sixteen pounds, seventeen shill- 
ings current money, agreeable to the account 
lodged for surplices and books imported by him 
for the use of the Parish." 

At a Vestry held at the new Church, (Payne's,) 
September 9th, 1768,"^' to view and examine the 



*From Washing-ton's diary, 1768. "Septr. 9. Proceeded (from 
Alexandria) to the meeting of our Vestry at the new Church and 

67 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

work, they found it to be completed according to 
agreement except the brick pediments over the 
doors, "And being of opinion that the house can 
receive no damage from the weather for want of 
the pediments, and understanding that it is the 
general desire of the people in this part of the 
Parish to have the Church received, on account of 
the great inconvenience they at present suffer for 
want of it, we do accordingly receive the said 
Church for the use of the Parish, except the pedi- 
ments, which the said Edward Payne is still liable 
for and obliged to finish according to the Articles 
of Agreement." Col. George Mason was ordered 
to make to Mr. Payne the last payment on the 
Church, and also to pay an account for "making 
horse-blocks and benches, clearing the . Church- 
yard, and for some additional work done to the 
Church over and above his agreement, which we 
think of service and ornament to the building." 
Messrs. Ford, Linton and Ellzey "dissented to re- 
ceiving the Church."'^ 



lodgd at Captn. Edwd. Paynes." This Church was about seven- 
teen miles from Alexandria. 

On July 16, 1768, he "Went by Muddy Hole and Doeg- Run to 
the Vestry at Pohiek Church stayed there till half after 3 oclock & 
only 4 members coming returned by Captn. Mc.Cartys and dined 
there." 

♦This Church is hereafter known in the Vestry Book as the 
Upper Church, but probably from the beginning was popularly 
known as Payne's Church. - It stood on the present road from Pair- 
fax Court House to Fairfax Station, two and a half miles from 
the former and one mile from the latter. Its fate was that of many 
of its contemporaries. After the Revolution it was disused except 
for perhaps occasional services. Early in the last century the Bap- 
tists took possession of it as abandoned property, as the judgments 
of the Courts allowed them to do, and upon the division in that 
denomination in 1840 the .Jerusalem Baptist Church, (New School,) 
was organized in the building and continued to use It until 1862. 

68 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

November 28, 1768, — The Lev}^ includes 15,000 
lbs. of tobacco for building a Church. Daniel 
Mc.Carty Gent, and Thos. Withers Coffer ap- 
pointed Church Wardens. Alex. Henderson and 
George Mason exhibited accounts of moneys from 
sales of tobacco which were approved. George 
Washington was ordered to pay Mr. Henderson 
eight Pounds, being balance in his hands of the 
sum received from Major Broadwater for de- 
ficiency in work done on the Falls Church. Mr. 
Henderson was also to receive from Capt. 
Mc.Carty 372 Pounds due on the purchase of the 
Glebe. William Weston's offer to cover the Ves- 
try House at Pohick, the Vestry finding the nails, 
and to keep it always clean and in good order for 
the purposes of the Vestry, for permission to make 
use of the said house, was accepted. Edward 
Payne was authorized to open a window in the 
west end of the upper Church to give light and 
air to the gallery, and bring in his account. It 
was Ordered that the Church to be built be of 
brick, and contain three thousand square feet from 
outside to outside; and that the Church Wardens 

other Denominations also held occasional serrices there. The 
building remained unaltered, and many of our old citizens remember 
its ancient interior. In the winter of 1862-63 a large body of Fed- 
eral troops were encamped in the vicinity, and by them the fine 
old Church was torn down, brick by brick, and the material used 
to build chimneys and hearths for their winter quarters. The tomb- 
stones in the large graveyard perhaps shared the same fate, for 
only one or two remain, though the yard is full of sunken graves. 
A small frame Baptist Church now covers part of the site of old 
Payne's, the foundation lines of which can still be traced. 

The silver Communion service belonging to this Church was 
given by an old lady living in the neighborhood to the Rev. W. F. 
Lockwood about the year 1850, and was by him presented to St. 
.John's Church, Centerville, where it is still in use. 

69 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

give notice in the Virginia and Maryland Gazettes 
for workmen to attend at Pohick on the first Fri- 
day in March with plans and estimates. 

At a Vestry held March 3d. 1769, 

Present, the Rev. Lee Massey, Minister, 
Daniel Mc.Carty, 
'■ Thos. Withers Coffer, 

Church Wardens, 

George Wm. Fairfax ' Edwd. Payne 
George Washington Thomazen Ellzey 
George Mason Wm. Gardner 

Esqrs. Wm. Linton 
Alex. Henderson Thos. Ford 

Vestrymen. 

"The Vestry having met pursuant to a formet 
order to let the building of the new Church at 
Pohic, — Mr. Daniel French undertook the build- 
ing the new Church at the Cross Roads, for the 
sum of ^-Syy Virginia Currency." 

''Ordered, that Mr. Alexander Henderson pay 
to Mr. James Wren and Mr. William Wait each 
forty shillings, out of the money in his hands, for 
the plans furnished the Vestry."'*^ Adjourned, 



'"This would seem at first glance to dispose of the tradition that 
Washington drew the plans for the present Pohick Church. Loss- 
ing states, however, that he had before him, when he wrote, the 
original plan and elevation which Washington drew, and gives a 
cut of them. But he does not say how he knew them to have 
been the original plans. Washington was very apt to possess him- 
self of a copy of such papers. The true story is possibly this: 
that the plans and specifications adopted were a composite of those 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

"not having completed their business," until April 
7th. (But no meeting was held on that date.) 

''At a Vestry held for Truro Parish at the Cross 
Roads leading from Hollis's to Pohick Warehouse 
Sepr. 2 1 St. 1769. — 

"A spott was chosen to fix the new Church upon 
convenient to the said Cross Roads, and agreeable 
to a former order of the Vestry, bearing date the 
20th. day of November, 1767. A yard was laid 
off for the said Church, and a certain quantity of 
land laid off for the use of the said Parish, for 
which the said Vestry do agree to pay Daniel 
French Gent, at the rate of one Guinea per acre, 
for what the same shall measure. 

''At the same time the said Daniel French, who 
on the third day of March last undertook to build 
the Church for the sum of eight hundred seventy 
and seven Pounds, Current Money of Virginia, 
agreeable to a plan then exhibited, did execute an 



presented by Mr. Wren, Mr. WaitCe) and perhaps Mr. French who 
received the contract, and were practically drawn up in detail at 
this prolonged meeting of the Vestry. In this work Washington 
would doubtless have a large share. In his journal he mentions 
this meeting: "Mar. 3d. Went to a Vestry at Pohick Church and 
returned abt. 11 o'clock at night." The Vestry Book says they ad- 
jouined to April 7th, "Not having completed their business," that 
is not having drawn and signed the contract. As the Vestry usually 
met early in the afternoon they had probably given six or seven 
hours to the work, which would indicate very careful consideration 
and perhaps some differences of opinion to be reconciled. 

The same general plan was followed in building all four of 
the Churches erected in Fairfax and Alexandria at about this time. 
It was quite the usual one of the period, omitting for the sake 
of economy the tower and the cruciform shape common in the 
Churches of an earlier date. The tower of Christ Church, Alexan- 
dria, is of comparatively recent construction, being less than a cen- 
tury old. The Falls Church was built by Mr. James Wren, and may 
represent the plan which he submitted to this Vestry. 

71 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

agreement and gave bond for the performance 
thereof, agreeable to a contract entered into with 
the Vestry on the said third day of March, and 
ordered to be ratified and confirmed, by certain 
instruments in writing on the seventh day of April 
following, but which for want of a meeting of the 
Vestry on that day, and the frequent disappoint- 
ments since, has never been done till now."t 

"Resolved, that the Church Wardens procure 
from the said Daniel French a proper conveyance 
of the lot or parcell of land aforementioned." They 
were also directed to receive from Mr. Henderson 
the money in his hands due the Parish and pay 
Mr. French 200 Pounds, the first payment for 
the new Church. 

A Notable Building Committee 

''Resolved, that the Honble. George Wm. Fair- 
fax, George Washington & George Mason Esqrs. 
Captn. Daniel Mc.Carty & Mr. Edward Payne do 
view and examine the building from time to time, 
as they or any three of them shall see fitting, to 



t"'k\''ashington's diary casts some light on these "frequent dis- 
appointments," and would seem to indicate that they were not 
wholly accidental. 

(1769) "Apl. 7. Went a fox hunting in the morning and catchd 
a dog fox after running him an hour and treeing twice. After this 
went to an intended meeting of ye Vestry but there was none." 

"July 24, Went to an intended Vestry at ye Cross Roads, but 
was disappointed of one by Mr. Hendersons refusing to act." Mr. 
Henderson, living at Colchester, was probably one of the Vestrymen 
who joined with Col. Mason in opposing the new site for the 
Church. Is it possible that the art of filibustering was not unknown 
in those days? 

72 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

whom the undertaker is to give notice when the 
different materials are ready.'^ 

"Articles of Agreement made the seventh 
day of April in the year 1769. Between the 
Vestry of Truro Parish in County of Fairfax, 
of the one part, and Daniel French of Fairfax 
Parish in the County aforesaid, Gent, of the other 
part, as follows, Vizt. The said Daniel French 
doth undertake and agree to build and finish in a 
workmanlike manner a Church, near the forks of 
the roads above Robert Boggess's, to be placed 
as the Vestry shall hereafter direct, of the follow- 
ing Dimensions and Materials, to Wit; Sixty six 
feet in length, and forty five feet and a half in 
breadth, from out to out, the Walls twenty eight 
feet high from the foundation, to be built of good 
bricks well burnt, of the ordinary size, that is, nine 
inches long, four and a half inches broad, and 
three inches thick, to be three bricks thick to the 
Water Table, and two and a half afterwards. The 
outside bricks to be laid with mortar two thirds 
lime and one of sand, and the inside with mortar 
half lime and half sand. The corners of the House, 
the Pedistals, and Doors with the Pediment heads 
to be of good white freestone, and the Returns 
and Arches of the Windows to be of rubbed brick. 
The Doors to be made of pine plank, two inches 
thick, moulded and raised pannells on both sides, 
and the frames thereof to be of pine clear of sap, 

72> 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

with locust sills. The Window frames to be of pine 
clear of sap, with locust sills; the sashes to be made 
of pine plank one inch and three quarters thick; 
the Lights to be of the best Crown Glass, eighteen 
in each Window, eleven inches by nine; the Win- 
dow and Door Cases to be made with double Arch- 
atraves; and the lower Windows to have weights 
and pullies. The frame of the Roof to be of pine, 
except the King-Posts which are to be of oak; 
and the scantling to be of a size and proper pro- 
portion to the building. The Roof to be covered 
with inch pine plank well seasoned, and cyphered 
and lapt one inch and a half, and then with cypress 
shingles twenty inches long, and to show six in- 
ches. A Modillion Cornice on the outside, and 
a Cove Cornice on the inside, and the Roof to 
be framed according to the Plan thereof annexed. 

"The Floors to be framed with good oak clear 
of sap, and laid with pine plank inch and a half 
thick, and well seasoned. The Ends of the Sleep- 
ers next the walls of the House to have at least 
six inches hold thereof, and their other ends next 
to the Isles to be supported by flush and entire 
brick walls or underpinning nine inches thick and 
of a proper height. The Isles to be laid with flagg- 
stone, well squared and jointed. 

''The Pews to be wainscoted with pine plank 
an inch and a half thick, well seasoned, to be quar- 
ter-round on both sides, and raised pannal on one 

74 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

side; the seats to be of inch and half pine plank, 
fourteen inches broad and well supported. The 
Altar Piece to be twenty feet high and fifteen feet 
wide, and done with wainscot after the Ionic Order, 
the floor of the Communion Place to be raised 
tw^enty inches higher than the floor of the House, 
with hand-rails and Banisters of pine, and a Com- 
munion-Table of Black Walnut of a proper size. 
The Apostles Creed, the Lords-Prayer, and the 
ten Commandments to be neatly painted on the 
Altar-piece in black letters. 

"The Pulpit, Canopy, and reading Desks to be 
of pine, wainscoted with proper Cornice, and ex- 
ecuted in the Ionic Order. 

"The inside of the Church to be Ceiled, Plaistered 
and White- Washed; no Loam or Clay to be used 
in the Plaistering. The Outside Cornice and all 
the Wooden-Work on the inside of the House (ex- 
cept the floors) to be neatly painted of the proper 
colours. Stone Steps to be put to the Doors, and 
locks and hinges; and hinges to the Pews, Pulpit 
and Communion Place. 

"The whole Building to be compleated and fin- 
ished by the first day of September, which shall 
be in the year of our Lord, One thousand seven 
hundred and seventy two, in a sufficient and w^ork- 
manhke manner, and agreeable to the Plan there- 
of hereunto annexed, except with this Alteration 
in the West end of it, that instead of the door 

75 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

there shall be a window; and instead of the two 
windows, there shall be two doors opposite the 
two Isles. 

''And the said Daniel French doth further agree 
to build two Horse-Blocks with each two flights 
of Steps; to fix six benches for the people to sit 
on under the trees; and to clear and remove all 
the rubbish and litter from off the Church Lott, 
so as to fit it for the Reception of the Congrega- 
tion; and to have those additional works done by 
the time appointed for the finishing the Church. 

'Tn Condition of the Premises the Vestry do 
agree to pay unto the said Daniel French the sum 
of Eight hundred and seventy seven pounds Cur- 
rent Money of Virginia in manner following, to 
wit, Two hundred pounds on the first day of Sep- 
tember next; Two hundred and twenty-five pounds 
thirteen shillings and four pence on the first day 
of September, One thousand seven hundred and 
seventy; Two hundred and twenty five pounds 
thirteen shillings and four pence, on the first day 
of September, One thousand seven hundred and 
seventy one; and the remaining Two hundred and 
twenty five pounds thirteen shillings and four 
pence, on the first day of September, One thou- 
sand seven hundred and seventy two; at which 
time the Church is to be finished. 

'Tn Witness whereof the said Parties, to wit, the 
Members of the said Vestry here present, and the 
said Daniel French, have hereunto Interchang- 

76 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

ably set their Hands, the Day and Year first above 
written. 

Signed and DeHvered Danl. French 

in the Presence of — Daniel Mc.Carty; C. W. 
John Barry Edwd. Payne 

Wm. Triplett Go. Washington 

Go. Wm. Fairfax 

Jno. Posey 

William Gardner 

Tz. Ellzey. 

The next meeting of the Vestry was at Pohick 
Church, December i, 1769. The Parish Levy 
provided for the payment, — To Mr. Daniel French 
for 3 acres and 26 perches of land laid ofif for the 
use of the Parish as per Plat, 4 Pounds, 2s. 4d. To 
Capt. Mc.Carty for advertising the letting of the 
Church, 18 shillings. For building the Church, 
&c. 34,900 pounds of Tobacco. Alexander Hen- 
derson and Thomas Ford appointed Church War- 
dens. 

"Alexander Henderson, Gent, one of the Church 
Wardens for the ensuing year, and Augusus Dar- 
rell, having applied for the Collection of the Par- 
ish Levy, the said Augustus Darrell is appointed 
Collector, the Vestry being of opinion that it is 
improper for any member of the Vestry to be Col- 
lector of the Parish Levy. And it is ordered that 
the same be entered on the Records of this Parish; 
it having been heretofore customary that the 

77 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Church Wardens should have a preference of the 
collection to any other person." 

Peirce Bayly's account as Collector and Sheriff 
was approved. It was "Ordered, that WilHam 
Grayson Esqr. who has heretofore been appointed 
to prosecute suits for this Parish, be now ap- 
pointed Attorney in fact for the Parish, and that 
he receive all Moneys and Tobacco arising from 
Fines and Judgments, and account with the Ves- 
try annually for the same, at the laying of the Par- 
ish Levy.''^'' 

1770. Only one Vestry held, on November 28. 
Parish Levy included 56,330 pounds of tobacco for 
building the Church and as a fund for purchasing 
a Glebe. Honble. George William Fairfax Esqr. 
and Edward Payne, Gent. Church Wardens. Peter 
Wagener and Martin Cockburn, Gents, are elected 
Vestrymen in place of William Linton, deceased, 
and John Posey, removed. (These are the first 
breaks in the ranks of the Vestrymen elected in 
July, 1765.) 

1 77 1. July 8th. Messrs. Wagener and Cock- 
burn subscribed the promise of conformity to the 

*Among- the duties of the Church Wardens was that of present- 
ing- to the Court of the County persons guilty of gambling, drunken- 
ness, profanity, Sabbath breaking, failing to attend Church, dis- 
turbing public worship, and certain other offences against decency 
and morality. The fines imposed in these cases went to them for 
the use of the Parish, and are sometimes mentioned in the annual 
statement, though usually they would be included in the Wardens 
accounts which are not given in detail. That the Church Wardens 
of Truro, Cameron and Fairfax Parishes did not fail in this duty 
of presentrng offenders is abundantly shown in records of the 
County Court. Presentments were usually made through the Grand 
Jury, the offender's Parish being designated, but sometimes the 
Church Wardens themselves ai-e named as prosecutors. 

78 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

doctrine and discipline of the Church of England, 
and were admitted as members of the Vestry. 
They, with Mr. Alex. Henderson, were added to 
those heretofore appointed to view and examine 
the new Church. Peirce Bayly, Collector, paid 
in fifty two hogsheads, 52,024 lbs. nett, of crop to- 
bacco, and four transfer notes, gross 602 lbs. It 
was ordered to be sold in five lots, and the sale to 
be advertised in George Town, Alexandria, Dum- 
fries and Colchester. 6 Pounds, i8s. and 8d. 
were allowed the Collector for prizing the tobacco. 
^'Whereas it appears that the dimensions of the 
Altar-piece mentioned in the Articles with the Un- 
dertaker for building the new Church, are not ac- 
cording to the proportions of Architecture, the 
Undertaker is authorized and desired to make the 
same according to the true proportions of the 
Ionic Order notwithstanding. And the Vestry 
being of the opinion that the stone coins are coarse 
grained and rather too soft they desire the same 
may be painted with white lead and oyle, which 
they think will make them sufficient. The Vestry 
are also of opinion that the rub'd bricks at the re- 
turn of all the windows ought to be painted as 
near as possible the same colour with the arches, 
and the Undertaker is desired to do the same ac- 
cordingly." November 29th. The Lev}^ is laid 
as usual, and the Collectors and Church Wardens 
accounts exhibited and approved. Daniel French 
seems to have died since the last meeting, as pay- 

79 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

ments are ordered made to his executor. It is 
seen later that his executor was Col. George 
Mason, by whom Pohick Church was completed. 
Rev. Lee Massey agreed to accept 50 Pounds in 
money in lieu of a Glebe, instead of the former 
4,000 lbs. of tobacco. The same Processioners are 
appointed as four years before. 

1772. June 5th. The Vestry being of opinion 
that it would be both ornamental and convenient 
to have the stone steps at the front door of the 
Church with three flights in place of only one in 
front, agreed to have them built in that manner, 
paying the difference in cost. The Church War- 
dens were ordered to agree with workmen to have 
the roof painted. Also for building a Vestry 
House of brick^ twenty four by eighteen feet, nine 
feet pitch, plank floor, inside chimney and three 
windows. 

''Ordered, that the six middle pews between the 
cross Isle and the Communion Table be sold for 
the benefit of the Parish, (one pew to be set up at 
a time,) to the highest bidder at the laying of the 
next Parish Levy, at six months credit, and that 
the Church Wardens and Vestry conduct the said 
sale and take proper bonds of the purchasers. And 
at the same time that the other six pews opposite 
them, on the other sides of the long Isles, be also 
sold to the highest bidder in like manner, or so 
many of them as will sell for the average price at 
which the first six pews shall be found to sell." 

80 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

''The Church Wardens are directed to agree 
with persons to make such Carved Ornaments on 
the Ahar piece as they shall judge proper, and 
guilding the letters thereon with Gold Leaf, pre- 
sented to this Parish b}^ the Honble. George Wm, 
Fairfax and George Washington Esqrs." 

1772. November 20th. Alexander Henderson 
rendered his account, showing a balance of 460 
Pounds, 5s. 7d. due the Parish. He is ordered 
to pay the Executors of Daniel French 225 
Pounds, 13s. 4d., the last payment on the Church, 
and several other accounts due. Capt. Daniel 
Mc.Carty this day paid 330 Pounds, part of his 
bond for the Glebe land; which was lodged in the 
hands of Mr. Henderson, out of which he was to 
pay the proportion due to Fairfax Parish of the 
money for which the Glebe and Church plate sold, 
upon order of the Church Wardens who were to 
settle the account thereof with the Vestry of Fair- 
fax Parish. The sum remaining unapplied was to 
be left in the hands of Mr. Henderson, he agree- 
ing to pay interest on 150 Pounds thereof. The 
yard of the Upper Church was ordered inclosed 
with posts and rails, the posts to be split or sawed 
locust and the rails sawed. Also the steps and 
door sills to be repaired. 

''The twelve pews ordered to be sold at the 
meeting of the last Vestry except the pew No. fif- 
teen, were this day sold according to the said or- 
der, to the following persons, at the following 

81 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

prices, Vizt. No. three and No. four adjoining to 
the south wall of the Church, to Col. George 
Mason at the price of fourteen Pounds eleven 
shillings and eight pence each, being the average 
price at which the six pews first set up between 
the two long Isles and the Cross Isle sold. No. 
live adjoining the south wall above and next to 
front door to Mr. Thos. Withers Coffer, at the 
price of fourteen Pounds, thirteen shillings. No. 
thirteen adjoining the north wall, to Mr. Martin 
Cockburn, at the price of fifteen Pounds, ten shill- 
ings. No. fourteen adjoining to the north wall 
and next above the Rector's pew to Capt. Daniel 
Mc.Carty at the price of fifteen Pounds, ten shill- 
ings. No. twenty-one, being one of the six center 
pews adjoining the south Isle next to the Com- 
munion Table, to the Honble. George William 
Fairfax Esqr. at the price of sixteen pounds. No. 
twenty tw^o and tvvcnty three, two of the center 
pews adjoining the south Isle, to Mr. Alexander 
Henderson, Vizt. No. twenty two at the price of 
thirteen pounds, and No. twenty-three, next to 
the Cross Isle, at the price of thirteen pounds ten 
shillings. No. twenty eight, one of the Center 
pews adjoining the north Isle and next to the 
Communion Table, to Colo. George Washington 
at the price of sixteen pounds. No. twenty nine, 
one of the Center pews adjoining the north Isle, 
to Mr. Lund Washington, at the price of thirteen 
pounds ten shillings. No. thirty one of the Cen- 

82 










S^ 



1^ 



Original Plan of Pohick Church 
i'lde From Actual Measurement By Glenn Brown, Architect 
B October 19, 1906 




^^*-^>^^^i^=dfa ^ 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

ter pews, adjoining the Center Isle and next the 
Cross Isle, to Mr. Harrison Manley at the price of 
fifteen pounds, ten shillings. It is ordered that the 
Church Wardens take the bonds for the use of the 
Parish, for the above mentioned purchase money, 
from the several respective purchasers, according 
to the order at the last Vestry; and that legal 
Deeds for the said Pews be made and executed 
by the Vestry to the said Purchasers for their 
Pews at the next meeting of the Vestry; the said 
purchasers preparing Deeds for that purpose." 

''Ordered, that the Pew No. fifteen, adjoining 
to the North Wall of the Church and next above 
the pulpit, (which was one of the twelve pews or- 
dered to be sold at the last Vestry, but is not sold,) 
be reserved for the Rector of this Parish for the 
Time being and his Family, and is hereby vested 
in the Rector of the Parish and his successors ac- 
cordingly." 

1773. June 4th. At a Vestry held for Truro 
Parish at the new Church at Pohick, — A Trust 
Deed for the pew above described, to the Rev. 
Lee Massey "for the use of himself and his Suc- 
cessors Rectors of this Parish forever, was this 
day executed by all the Members present, pur- 
suant to an order of the Vestry made the 20th. 
day of November last." 

"It appearing to the Vestry that the two lower 
pews between the two West doors are erected 
where the Font ought to be, it is ordered that 

83 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

the said two pews be taken down and the space 
left open." 

"Upon the Motion of the Honble. George Wil- 
Ham Fairfax Esqr. and Alexander Henderson, 
Gent, in behalf of themselves and the other pur- 
chasers of the six upper middle pews above the 
Cross Isle, leave is granted to the said purchasers 
to take up the stones in the Isles and to raise the 
said six pews at their own private expence to the 
same height above the Isles and exactly in the 
same manner with the pews next to the Walls, 
they making good any Damage that may happen 
in doing the same; and it is also ordered that the 
eight middle pews below the Cross Isles be raised 
in the same manner at the expence of the Parish." 

"William Cppein having undertaken to make a 
Stone Font for the Church according to a draught 
in the 150th. plate in Langleys Designs being the 
uppermost on the left hand for the price of six 
pounds he finding himself everything, the Vestry 
agree to pay him that sum for finishing the same." 

November 22d. The parish Levy was laid and 
accounts rendered. Alex. Henderson has 218 
pounds, thirteen shillings and ten pence half penny 
in his hands belonging to the Parish. He is or- 
dered to pay William Copein seven pounds, five 
shillings for a stone Font and Step. George 
Mason and Edward Payne, Gents, appointed 
Church Wardens. 

1 1 74. February 15th. "George Mason, Esqr. 

84 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Executor of Daniel French deed. Undertaker of 
the Church near Pohick, having finished the said 
Church, tender(ed) the same to this Vestry (con- 
sisting of six members and the Rector of the Par- 
ish, besides the said George Mason,) and the said 
Vestry, being of opinion that the said Church is 
finished according to agreement do receive the 
same as far as they have authority to do so, the 
said George Mason undertaking to finish the 
Horse Blocks and Benches under the Trees, which 
was part of the original Agreement of the Under- 
taker. The said George Mason having produced 
his account against the Parish for extra work 
about the Church, the settlement of the same is 
referred to the next meeting of the Vestry." 
There were present, Lee Massey, R. T. P.; G. 
Mason, C. W. ; Go. Washington, Daniel Mc.Carty, 
Alex. Henderson, Tz. Ellzey, Pet. Wagener, Mar- 
tin Cockburn. 

''At a Vestry held for Truro Parish at the new 
Church near Pohick, February the 24th. 1774. 

''The receiving of the new Church near Pohick 
by an order of the last Vestry is confirmed, and 
the Executors of Mr. Daniel French deceased are 
discharged from their Testators Bond, upon fin- 
ishing the Horse Blocks and Benches mentioned 
in the said order. 

"George Mason Esqr. Executor of Daniel 
French deed, having exhibited an account amount- 
ing to the sum of one hundred and sixteen pounds 

8s 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

nineteen shillings and ten pence halfpenny Curr. 
Money, for sundrie Alterations in the said Church 
and other work done thereto not inserted in the 
Undertakers Articles; the said account being 
sworn to by Going Lamphier, WilHam Copein and 
William Bernard Sears was examined and ap- 
proved; and it is ordered that Mr. Alexander Hen- 
derson pay him (out of the Parish's money in his 
hands) the sum of Fifty six pounds sixteen shill- 
ings and six pence halfpenny, being the balance 
due on the said account, after deducting the sum 
of twenty nine pounds three shillings and four 
pence for the price of two Pews in the said Church 
purchased by the said George Mason, and also 
thirty one pounds paid him by Capt. Daniel 
Mc.Carty and Mr. Martin Cockburn for their 
Pews. 

"The Trust Deed from the Vestry to the Revd. 
Lee Massey for a Pew in the new Church dated 
June the 4th. 1773, not having been admitted to 
Record within the time limited by Law, the same 
is cancelled, and a new deed executed to him for 
the same Pew. 

"Deeds were this day executed by the Vestry 
to the following Persons Vizt. George William 
Fairfax, George Mason and George Washington 
Esqr., Messrs. Daniel Mc.Carty, Alexander Hen- 
derson, Martin Cockburn, William Triplett, and 
John Manley Heir at Law of Harrison Manley 
deed., for the several Pews in the new Church 

86 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

near Pohic bought by them at Pubhc Auction the 
twentieth day of November 1772. The Pew then 
bought by Mr. Lund Washington being after- 
wards sold by him to the said George Washing- 
ton, & the Pew then bought by Mr. Thomas With- 
ers Coffer being afterwards sold by him to Mr. 
WilHam Triplett, are conveyed by the Vestry ac- 
cordingly.* 

"Ordered, that the Upper Pew in the new 
Church adjoining the South Wall be appropriated 
to the Use of the Magistrates and Strangers, and 
the Pew opposite thereto to the use of their Wives, 
and the two Pews next below them to be appro- 
priated to the Vestrymen and Merchants and their 
Wives in like manner. And it is further ordered 
that the eight Pews below and adjoining the Cross 
Isle of the Church be assigned to the use of the 
most respectable Inhabitants and House Keepers 
of the Parish, the Men to sit in the four pews next 
the South Wall, and the Women in the other four 
next the North Wall. 

^'The Church Wardens having failed to let the 
building of a Vestry House at the new Church 
pursuant to a former order of this Vestry, and the 
Vestry being now of opinion that it will be to the 
Advantage of the Parish to let the inclosing of the 
Church Yard together with the building of the 
said Vestry House, Ordered that the Vestry be 



*A copy of the deed for the pews purchased by Washington will 
be found in the Appendix. 



87 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

called to meet on Fryday the 22d. of April in order 
to let the building the said Vestry House and in- 
closing the said Church Yard, which inclosure is 
to be made of Brick one hundred and sixty feet 
square from out to out, three feet six inches high 
at the highest Part of the Ground, two Bricks 
thick, to go one foot below the surface and to be 
covered with Cypress Shingles and Painted, to 
have three Pier Gates. The Church Wardens to 
advertise the above meeting in the Virginia and 
Maryland Gazette after the usual Form upon such 
Occasions. 

''Ordered that the new Church near Pohic be 
furnished with a Cushion for the Pulpit and Cloths 
for the Desks & Communion Table of Crimson 
Velvett with Gold Fring, and that Colo. George 
Washington be requested to import the same, as 
also two Folio Prayer Books covered with blue 
Turkey Leather with Name of the Parish there- 
on in Gold Letters, the Demensions of the said 
Cushion and Cloths being left to Wm. Bernard 
Sears who is desired to furnish Colo. Washington 
with proper Patterns at the Expense of the Parish." 
''Lee Massey, R. T. P. Alex. Llenderson 
G. Mason, C. W. T. Ellzey 

Edwd. Payne, C. W. Thos. W. Coffer 
G. Washington Thos. Ford 

Daniel Mc.Carty Pet. Wagener 

Martin Cockburn. 

"Recorded by John Barry, Clk. V." 

88 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

(The above is an exact copy of the Records of 
this meeting.)* 

The Vestry met again on February 25th. by ad- 
journment from yesterday. 

''Bonds being taken yesterday from Colo. 
George Washington for himself, and also as At- 
torney in Fact for Colo. George William Fairfax 
now in Brittain, from Mr. Alexander Henderson, 
Mr. William Triplett, and Mr. Thomas Triplett 
Executor of Harrison Manley deed, for the pur- 
chase Money of the Pews bought by them in the 
new Church near Pohick, the same Bonds were 
delivered to Colo. George Mason Church Warden 
to be by him collected and accounted for at the 
next laying the Levy, he having already received 
of Capt. Daniel Mc.Carty and Mr. Martin Cock- 
burn the Price of their Pews purchased at the 
same time, which together with the Price of his 
own two Pews are deducted out of his account 
settled and received yesterday by the Vestry." 
William Bernard Sears was paid fifty eight pounds 



*This was Washing-ton's last Vestry. He continued a nominal 
Vestryman until 1782, but from this time his public duties took him 
from home, frequently at first and afterwards for many years con- 
tinuously. Under date of July 10, 1783, he writes to his old friend, 
Georg-e William Fairfax, in London: "I have not been in the State 
(Virg-inia) but once since the 4th. of May, 1775. and that was at 
the seig-e of York. In going thither I spent one day at my own 
house, and in returning I took 3 or 4, without attempting to transact 
a particle of private business." 

The regularity of Washington's attendance at the meetings of the 
Vestry is deserving of special notice. During the eleven years of 
his active service, from February, 1763, to February, 1774, thirty- 
one "Vestries" were held, at twenty-three of which he is recorded 
as being present. On the eight occasions when he was absent, as 
we learn from his Diary or other sources, once he was sick in bed, 
twice the House of Burgesses, of which he was a member, was in 
session, and three other times certainly, and on the two remaining 
occasions probably, he was out of the County, 



8g 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

nineteen shillings for carved work done by him in 
the new Church. William Copein was paid for 
extra work on the same Church, and Francis Cof- 
fer for railing the yard and making stone steps at 
the upper Church, and Gowan Langfier and Wm. 
Copein for their trouble and attendance in meas- 
uring the carved work on the Altar piece and Pul- 
pit, the former thirty, the latter ten, shilHngs. 

''Ordered that William Bernard Sears gild the 
Ornaments within the Tabernacle Frames, the 
Palm Branch and Drapery on the front of the 
Pulpit, (also the Eggs on the Cornice of the small 
Frames if the Gold will hold out,) which he agreed 
to do for three pounds ready money, to be done 
with the Gold Leaf given to the Parish by Colo. 
George Washington." 

''The Vestry having reconsidered their order of 
yesterday directing the Church Yard to be in- 
closed with Brick, And considering that the ex- 
pence thereof will be too burthensome to the Par- 
ish at this time having just finished two expensive 
Churches, and a Glebe not yet purchased, have 
changed their opinions, and do accordingly order 
that (instead of a Brick Wall) the said Church 
Yard be inclosed with a Post and Rail Fence in 
the following manner, to wit, with sawed Cedar 
Posts to go two feet and a half in the ground, to 
be first burnt, sawed Yellow Pine Rails clear of 
sap, five feet high from the surface to the top rail, 
Posts eight feet asunder, the whole to be well 

90 



L. 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

payed with turpentine and red paint, with three 
PaHsadoed Gates painted a Stone Colour with 
Locks." 

The roof and fence at the Upper Church were 
ordered painted. 

Capt. Edward Payne resigned as Vestryman, 
and Mr. Thomas Pollard was chosen in his stead. 

1774. November 24th. The Parish Levy is 
laid, and accounts audited. George Washington 
Esqr. and Thomas Pollard Gent, are appointed 
Church Wardens for the next 3^ear. Alex. Hen- 
derson pays over to Mr. Pollard all money in his 
hands and is fully discharged of all accounts, and 
Col. Mason delivers to Mr. Pollard Col. George 
Washington's Bonds for his own pew and that of 
Col. Fairfax. Mr. Peter Wagener was chosen a 
Vestryman in the room of Major Peter Wagener, 
deceased. 

1775. November 3d. The Levy shows 1363 
tithables, as against 962 ten years before just after 
the division. This indicates the growth of the 
population. Col. Daniel Mc.Carty and Capt. Mar- 
tin Cockburn were ordered to "take into their 
possession the books belonging to the Parish 
lately kept by John Barry, deed." The Revd. Lee 
Massey was appointed Clerk of the Vestry. Mr. 
Mason, Col. Mc.Carty, Capt. Cockburn, Capt. Pol- 
lard, Rev. Mr. Massey and Mr. Henderson were 
appointed to prepare a plan for the employment of 

91 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

and providing for the poor of the Parish, and re- 
port to the next Vestry. 

1776. May 6th. At the laying of the last Levy 
no Collector had been appointed, perhaps because 
none offered. On this day the Cohection was let 
to the lowest bidder, agreeable to notice given, 
and was undertaken by William Bayly at nine per 
Cent. The regular price heretofore had been six 
per Cent. The Levy was very small, only twenty 
pounds per Poll. 

1776. November 22d. Mr. Peter Wagener 
and Mr. Thomazen Ellzey appointed Church War- 
dens, and ordered to receive from former Wardens 
all balances due the Parish, including General 
George Washington's Bond and that of Col. 
George William Fairfax for which the General is 
liable, and to pay the several sums due the Parish 
Claimants charged this day, amounting to 119 
pounds six shillings and four pence. William 
Triplett, Edward Ford and Francis Coffer were 
elected Vestrymen in the room of George William 
Fairfax Esqr. removed, Thomas Ford deceased, 
and William Gardner removed. The Church War- 
dens with Col. Mason and Capt. Cockburn, or any 
three of them, were appointed to look out for a 
tract of land suitable for a Glebe, and in case they 
succeeded were to report to a Vestry to be called 
for the purpose. The Levy was 30 pounds per 
Poll, on 1337 tithables. On the following April 

92 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

William Payne the eldest undertook the collection 
at 8 per Cent.* 

1777. October 2d. Deeds of Lease and Release 
from the Vestry to Col. Daniel Mc.Carty for the 
old Glebe were acknowledged by the Vestry, and 
the Church Wardens ordered to receive from Col. 
Mc.Carty the balance of the purchase money due. 
''Ordered, that the Church Wardens send Sarah 
Shelton (a poor child) to Dr. James of St. Mary's 
County Maryland and employ him to cure her of 
her present Disorders." 

1777. November 27th. ''William Triplett and 
Francis Coffer Gent, are appointed Church War- 
dens or Overseers of the Poor for the ensuing 
year." The Rev. Lee Massey resigned his office 
as Clerk of the Vestrv, and Francis Adams was 



*A special interest attaches to this levy because it was the last 
that was ever laid for the support of the old Colonial Church or 
the maintenance of religion in the Parish, such levies being from 
this tinae suspended by Act of Assembly and afterward abolished 
entirely. The support of the Clergy was left to be provided for 
by voluntary contributions. 

There is no record of any effort being made for the future sup- 
port of the Rev. Mr. Massey as Minister of this Parish. The dis- 
turbed condition of the times during the Revolution, and the ab- 
sence of many leading men, may have prevented. Or more probably 
Mr, Massey wished to retire, for his Grandson, Col. J. T. Stoddert, 
of Maryland, wrote Bishop Meade that impaired speech was the 
cause of his ceasing to preach. After this he received for one year 
500 pounds of tobacco as Clerk of the Vestry, and then his name 
disappears from the Records. We are told that he afterwards stud- 
ied medicine and practised freely among the poor. He had been 
a practising lawyer before his ordination to the ministry, so it 
would seem that he followed successively what were known as the 
three learned professions of Law, Divinity and Medicine. He con- 
tinued to live at "Bradley," his plantation on the Occoquan, until 
his death in 1814 at the age of eighty-six. A simple stone still 
marks his grave. 

From this time forward the Records of the Vestry show their 
business to have been confined to the care of the poor, for which 
purpose levies of tobacco were still authorized. "Overseers of the 
Poor" became an alternate designation for the Church Wardens. 

93 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

appointed in his stead. Tithables 1316. Levy 15 
lbs. per Poll. 

1778. No Levy was laid this year, as the Vestry 
found funds sufficient in their hands for the main- 
tenance of the poor for the ensuing year. 

1779. December 8th. Martin Cockburn Gent, 
having resigned his offixe as Vestryman Daniel 
Mc.Carty junior was elected in his stead, and Ed- 
ward Washington junior was elected in place of 
Edward Ford who refused to serve. Tithables 
1350. Levy 12 lbs. per Poll. 

In 1780 no Vestry was held. November 27th, 
1 78 1, a Levy was laid of 10 lbs. per Poll, on 1442 
Tithables. Daniel Mc.Carty and Thomazen Ell- 
zey were appointed Church Wardens or Overseers 
of the Poor. William Deneale and Cleon Moore 
were elected Vestrymen in the room of Thomas 
Withers Coffer deceased and Daniel Mc.Carty 
junior who refused to act. 

1782. November 22d. Tlie Vestry met, and 
Daniel McCarty exhibited an account on oath 
against the Parish which showed it indebted to him 
in the sum of twelve pounds eight shillings paper 
money, which was ordered to be certified. Vestry 
adjourned until the 24th, but that meeting was 
not held. 

1784. 23d February. The Vestry met at Col- 
chester. "The Vestry of this Parish having ap- 
pointed meetings at different times for two years 
last past, and not a majority of the said Vestry 

94 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

meeting to proceed to business; It is now agreed 
upon and ordered that those of the Vestry who 
have resigned or removed others be chosen in 
their stead." 

"John Gibson, Gent, is elected a Vestryman for 
this Parish in the room of His Excellency General 
Washington, who has signified his resignation in 
a letter to Daniel Mc.Carty, Gent." 

James Waugh was elected in the room of 
Thomas Pollard, removed. Francis Cofifer was 
desired to let the Vestry know at their next meet- 
ing whether he would continue to serve or not. 

Peter Wagener and William Deneale were ap- 
pointed Church Wardens or Overseers of the 
Poor. A Levy was laid, which included 10,000 
lbs. of tobacco for the temporary support of such 
of the poor as are at present unknown, to be laid 
out by the Church Wardens at their discretion. 
This they considered "absolutely necessary on ac- 
count of the severity of the winter and scarcity of 
corn." 

Lund Washington was elected a Vestryman the 
room of Daniel Mc.Carty who now resigned. 
Present at this rneeting: 
Pet. Wagener, C. W. Alex. Henderson. 
W. Deneale, C. W: Wm. Triplett. 

G. Mason. Edward Washington. 

Daniel Mc.Carty. Cleon Moore. "^ 



•This meeting of the Vestry, which saw the formal resignation 
of George Washington, was the last that was attended by three^ of 
hite friends and old fellow- Vestrymen, George Mason,. Daniel Me.- 

95 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

The last meeting of the Vestry under the old 
Regime was held at Colchester, January 27th, 
1785. Like the preceding it was occupied solely 
in providing for the support of the poor, and es- 
pecially for twelve families who are named. The 
old Colonial Church, which had been staggering 
for years under blows inflicted by successive Gen- 
eral Assemblies was now in the article of death. 
The leading men who, in the face of popular 
odium, stood by and attended it in its last hours, 
must have believed that when released from the 
coil of the State it would rise from the dust and 
put on more beautiful garments. 

The new (Christ) Church in Alexandria had 
been finished about the same time with the new 
Pohick Church. Washington bought a pew in 
Christ Church on the day that the Church was 
turned over to the Vestry by the builders. He 
gave for Pew number 5, thirty six pounds, ten 
shillings. That pew has become historical. It 
was afterwards occupied by Gen. Robert E. Lee, 
and there are tablets on the walls of the Church 
in memory of these two heroic characters and de- 
vout Christians. This historic pew attracts every 
week streams of pilgrims to Christ Church.'^ 

Carty and Alexander Henderson. Col. Mason and Capt. Mc.Carty 
were his seniors in point of service, having' served continuously since 
1749, a period of thirty-five years. Mr, Henderson was first elected 
on the new Vestry in 1765. The fifth and only remaining- member 
of that Vestry, Mr. Thomazen Ellzey, was present at its last meet- 
ing two months later, and afterward continued to serve as an Over- 
seer of the Poor. 

*The pew which General Robert E. Lee rented and regularly 
occupied when at Arlington was across the aisle from Washington's 
pew. 

96 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Washington did not leave Pohick for Christ 
Church until after the Revolution, when services 
at the former became few and far between. April, 
1785, seems to mark the date of his habitual at- 
tendance at Christ Church. On the 25th of that 
month he bound himself by a paper of record in 
the Vestry Book, signed in his well known hand- 
writing, to pay an annual rent upon his pew. The 
structure of this bond indicates that it was Wash- 
ington's composition. The following is a copy 
of it from the record : 

''We, the subscribers, do hereby agree that the 
pews we now hold in the Episcopal Church at 
Alexandria shall be forever charged with an an- 



on a fly leaf of Washington's diary for January, 1773, is the 
following memorandum: 

"Sale of the pews in Alexandria Church — to whom — &ca. 

Nos. Purchasers Price 

4 Mr. Townsd. Dade Li 28 

5 Colo. G. Washington 36.10 

1 3 Mr. Robt. Adam 30 

14 Mr. Robt. Alexander 30.10 

1 5 Mr. Dalton 20 

18 Mr. Thos. Fleming 21.5 

19 Col. Carlyle 30 

20 Mr. Wm. Ramsey 33 

28 Messrs. Jno. Muir &ca 36.5 

29 Mr. Jno. West Junr 33 



L. 298.10 
Average price 29.17." 

For some reason the Vestry of Fairfax Parish proposed to set 
aside the sale of these pews. Washington was informed by Capt. 
John Dalton when the meeting was to be held to determine the 
matter, and was invited to be present. In his letter to Capt. Dal- 
ton, dated 15th. February, 1773, he says: "I am obliged to you for 
the notice j^ou have given me of an intended meeting of your Ves- 
try on Tuesdaj'- next." He explains why he would not come to make 
his protest in person, and adds: "The right of reclaiming the pews 
by the Vestry in behalf of the Parish I most clearly deny. As a 
parishioner I protest against the measure. As a subscriber who 
meant to lay the foundation of a family pew I shall think myself 
injured;" etc., etc. 

Washington was a "parishioner" of this parish by virtue of be- 
ing a freeholder and tithe-payer therein. His protest seems to 
have had the desired effect, as he remained in possession of his pew. 



97 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

nual rent of five pounds, Virginia money, each; 
and we hereby promise to pay (each for himself 
promising to pay) annually, forever, to the Min- 
ister and Vestry of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church in Fairfax Parish, or, if the Parish should 
be divided, to the Minister and Vestry of the Prot- 
estant Episcopal Church in Alexandria, the said 
sum of five pounds for each pew for the purpose 
of supporting the Minister in the said Church. 
Provided neverthelsss that if any law of this Com- 
monwealth should hereafter compel us, our heirs, 
executors and administrators or assigns, to pay 
to the support of Religion, the pew-rent hereby 
granted shall, in that case, be considered as part 
of what we, by such law, be required to pay. 

Provided also that each of us pay only in pro- 
portion to the part we hold of the said pews. 

For the performance of which payments, well 
and truly to be made forever annually, within six 
months after demanded, we hereby bind ourselves 
(each for himself separately) our heirs, executors, 
administrators and assigns, firmly by these pres- 
ents. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set 
our hands and seals this 25th day of April in the 
year of our Lord 1785. 

Witness present at signing and sealing. 
David Griffith at 
signing and sealing for (Seal) Philip Alexander. 
G. Washington, W. Bird Robert Adams. 

T. Herbert & P. Alexander. M. Madden. 

98 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Giles Cooke for T. West. 
Barr Powell for W. Herbert. 

Geo. Washington (Seal) 
Gr. Chapman for R. Adams. 

W. Bird (Seal) 
Robt. Macgill for M. Madden. 

Thos. Herbert (Seal) 

Thomas West (Seal) 

W. Herbert (Seal) 
And yet Washington occasionally attended Po- 
hick Church when it was open for Divine Service, 
as the following item from his Diary proves : 

*'Oct. 2d. 1785. Sunday. Went with Fanny 
Bassett, Burwell Bassett, Dr. Stuart, George A. 
Washington, Mr. Shaw and Nelh^ Custis to Po- 
hick Church to hear a Mr. Thompson preach who 
returned home with us to dinner, where I found 
Rev. Mr. Jones, formerly a Chaplain in a Pa. Reg- 
iment. After we were in bed about eleven o'clock 
at night, Mr. Houdon (sent from Paris by Mr. 
Jefferson and Dr. Franklin to take my Bust, in 
behalf of the State of Virginia, with three young 
men, assistants, introduced by Mr. Perin a French 
gentleman of Alexandria) arrived here by water 
from the latter place. 3d. October. The two Rev- 
erend gentlemen who dined and lodged here went 
away after breakfast." This is an illustration of 
the truth of the statement of his Pastor, Rev. Lee 
Massey, that Washington never allowed company 
at Mount Vernon to keep him from Church, and 

99 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

that he was the most punctual and constant at- 
tendant at Divhie Service he had ever known. 
Mrs. Lewis, (Nelly Custis,) bears a like testimony 
as to his habit in New York and Philadelphia. As 
to the time of which we are now speaking she 
says: ''General Washington had a pew in Pohick 
Church and one in Christ Church, Alexandria. 
He attended the Church at Alexandria when the 
weather and roads permitted a ride of ten miles." 
We have reached the dark age of Truro Parish. 
There are no records to guide us, and we have 
to avail ourselves of such side-lights as come from 
other sources. It is not known definitely when 
Mr. Massey's official relations with the Parish 
ceased. Tradition says he was followed by a Mr. 
Kemp and a Mr. Moscrope, who did not walk 
worthy of their high vocation in several respects. 
Whether they had any official connection with 
the Parish, or were merely "temporary supplies," 
is not known.* Towards the close of the century, 
some say in 1798, the eccentric Mason L. Weems 
appears upon the scene. There is no proof of his 
precise relations to the Parish. In his popular Life 
of Washington he calls himself "Late Rector of 
Mount Vernon Parish," as if he did not know its 
name. It is certain however that he was officiating 
there about the beginning of this century. Mr. 



♦Bishop Meade, from whom this tradition was drawn, had heard 
that these Ministers "Occasionally officiated at Dumfries, Pohick, 
and perhaps at Centerville,'" (doubtless a slip of the pen for 
Brentsville). I do not find their names in any lists of the Clergy 
of that period. 

100 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Davis, a teacher in that section, pubHshed a work 
dedicated to Jefferson, and entitled, "Four and a 
Half Years in America." In it he says: ''About 
eight miles from Occoquan Mills is a place of 
worship called Poheek (sic) Church. Thither I 
rode on Sunday and joined the congregation of 
Parson Weems, a Minister of the Episcopal per- 
suasion, who was cheerful in his mein that he 
might win men to religion. A Virginian Church- 
yard on Sunday resembles rather a race-course 
than a sepulchral ground. The ladies come to it 
in carriages and the men make their horses fast 
to the trees. But the steeples of the Virginian 
Churches are designed not for utility but for or- 
nament, for the bell is suspended from a tree.t It 
is also observable that the gate to the Church)^ ard 
is ever carefully locked by the Sexton, who retires 
last. I was confounded on first, entering the 
Churchyard at Poheek to hear ''Steed threaten 
Steed with high and boastful neigh." Nor was I 
less stunned with the rattling of carriage-wheels, 
the cracking of whips and the vociferations of the 
gentlemen to the Negroes who accompanied them. 
But the discourse of Parson Weems calmed every 
perturbation, for he preached the great doctrines 
of Salvation as one who had experienced their 
power. In his youth Mr. Weems had accompanied 
some young Americans to London where he pre- 
pared himself by dilligent study for the profession 

fit is hard to determine what could have suggested this remark, 
as Pohick Church had neither bell nor steeple. 

Id 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

of the Church. Of the congregation about one 
half was composed of white people and the other 
of negroes. Among many of the negroes were to 
be discovered the most gratif3ang evidences of 
sincere piety, an artless simplicity, passionate as- 
pirations after Christ and an earnest endeavour to 
do the will of God." 

The light thus thrown by Mr. Davis upon Po- 
hick Church for one Sunday reveals a very ani- 
mated and picturesque scene, and one by no means 
discreditable to Mr. Weems. This single glimpse 
into the darkness which shrouded Truro Parish 
is the only authentic tidings we have of it until 
1812, when the Rev. Charles O'Neill is in charge. 
We first meet Mr. O'Neill in St. Thomas' Parish, 
Orange County, where he officiated and taught 
school in 1797- 1800. He was one of the old-time 
schoolmasters, (as we have seen in our History of 
St. Mark's Parish,) who believed in what Hudibras 
called ''Apostolic blows and knocks" more than 
he did in the Apostolic Succession. His whipping 
post was the back of a negro man, on which the 
bad boy was suspended and flaggellated with hick- 
ory switches. He taught at Col. Taliaferro's, near 
Pine Stake Church, and also in Bromfield Parish, 
Madison County. Judge P. P. Barbour, of the 
U. S. Supreme Court, and the Hon. Jeremiah Mor- 
ton and Dr. George Morton were his pupils, and 
retained a lively impression of his discipline. He 
also preached and taught school in Hamilton Par- 

102 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

ish, Fauquier County, and represented it in Con- 
vention in 1805. He was likewise in Dettingen 
Parish, Prince William County. The date of his 
incumbency in Truro Parish was the time of 
Bishop Meade's effective ministry at Christ 
Church, Alexandria. The family at Mount Ver- 
non were attendants at Christ Church at this time, 
and some of them were among the first fruits of 
his ministry there. Mr. Meade was consequently 
intimate at Mount Vernon, and tells an amusing 
anecdote of Mr. O'Neill. He says: "The family 
at Mt. Vernon and at Rippon Lodge (the Black- 
burns) were fond of him. He, (O'Neill,) always 
spent his Christmas at Mt. Vernon, and on those 
occasions was dressed in a full suit of velvet, which 
Gen. Washington had left behind, and which had 
been given to Mr. O'Neill. But as General Wash- 
ington was tall and well proportioned in all his 
parts, and Mr. O'Neill was peculiarly formed, be- 
ing of uncommon length of body and brevity of 
legs, it was difficult to make the clothes of the one, 
even though altered, sit well on the other." (Mr. 
O'Neill died, it is thought, in 1813.) 

Judge Bushrod Washington, (the son of John 
A. and nephew of General Washington,) who in- 
herited Mt. Vernon, was now living there. He 
was a devout Communicant of the Church, and at- 
tended Divine Service in Christ Church, Alexan- 
dria, which he represented repeatedly in conven- 
tion. He was also a member of the Standing Com- 

103 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

mittee to the end of his Hfe. He married Jane, 
daughter of Col. Thomas Blackburn, of Rippon 
Lodge, Prince William County, which was a cen- 
ter of Episcopal influence. Two of the Misses 
Blackburn, Jane and Polly, married nephews of 
General Washington and lived in Jefferson Coun- 
ty, and one, Judy, married Gustavus Alexander. 
The first Richard Blackburn married a daughter 
of the Rev. James Scott, of Overwharton Parish. 

In his Convention Address in 1838 Bishop 
Meade thus describes a visitation made to Pohick 
Church, and its condition, in the preceding sum- 
mer: 

"My next visit was to Pohick Church, in the 
vicinity of Mt. Vernon, the seat of General Wash- 
ington. It was still raining when I approached 
the house, and found no one there. The wide- 
open doors invited me to enter, — as they do in- 
vite, day and night through the year, not only the 
passing traveller, but every beast of the field and 
fowl of the air. These latter however seeemed to 
have reverenced the house of God, since few marks 
of their pollution were to be seen throughout it. 
The interior of the house, having been well built, 
is still good. The chancel, Communion table and 
tables of the law &c. are still there and in good or- 
der. The roof only is decaying; and at the time 
I was there the rain was dropping on these sacred 
places and on other parts of the house. On the 
doors of the pews, in gilt letters, are still to be 

104 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

seen the names of the principal Families which 
once occupied them. How could I, while for at 
least an hour traversing those long aisles, ascend- 
ing the lofty pulpit, entering the sacred chancel, 
forbear to ask, And is this the House of God 
which was built by the Washingtons, the Mc.Car- 
tys, the Lewises, the Fairfaxes? — the house in 
which they used to worship the God of our fathers 
according to the venerable forms of the Episcopal 
Church, — and some of whose names are still to be 
seen on the doors of those now deserted pews? 
Is this also destined to moulder piecemeal away, 
or, when some signal is given, to become the prey 
of spoilers, and to be carried hither and thither and 
applied to every purpose under heaven? 

''Surely patriotism, or reverence for the greatest 
of patriots, if not religion, might be effectually 
appealed to in behalf of this one temple of God. 
The particular location of it is to be ascribed to 
Washington, who, being an active member of the 
Vestry when it was under consideration and in 
dispute where it should be placed, carefully sur- 
veyed the whole parish, and, drawing with his 
own hand an accurate and handsome map of it, 
showed clearly where the claims of justice and the 
interests of religion required its erection. 

"It was to this Church that Washington for some 
years regularly repaired, at a distance of six or 
seven miles, never permitting any company to pre- 
vent the regular observance of the Lord's day. 

105 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

And shall it now be permitted to sink into ruin for 
want of a few hundred dollars to arrest the decay 
already begun? The families that once wor- 
shipped there are indeed nearly all gone, and those 
who remain are not competent to its complete 
repair. But there are immortal beings all around 
it, and not far distant from it, who might be for- 
ever blessed by the word faithfully preached there- 
in. The poor shall never cease out of any land, 
and to them the gospel ought to be preached. 

"For some years past one of the students in our 
Theological Seminary has acted as lay reader in 
it, and occasionally a professor has added his ser- 
vices. Within the last year the Rev. Mr. John- 
son, residing in the neighbourhood, has performed 
more frequent duties there. 

''On the day following I preached to a very con- 
siderable congregation in this old church, one 
third of which was made up of coloured persons. 
The sacrament was then administered to twenty 
persons." 

Some years later the Bishop wrote : 'T am happy 
to say that this report led the Rev. Mr. Johnson 
to its use, in a circular, by means of which he 
raised fifteen hundred dollars, with which a new 
roof and ceiling and other repairs were put on it, 
by which it has been preserved from decay and 
fitted for such occasional services as are performed 
there. A friend, who has recently visited it, in- 
forms me that many of the doors of the pews are 

io6 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

gone. Those of George Washington and George 
Mason are not to be found, — perhaps borne away 
as relics. Those of George Wihiam Fairfax, Mar- 
tin Cockburn, Daniel Mc.Carty, WiUiam Payne, 
(read Triplett,) and the rector's, are still standing 
and their names legible." 



107 



y^ 



Alexander Henderson 

This gentleman was the son of Rev. Robert 
Henderson, Mmister of Blantyre in Scotland. He 
came to Virginia in 1756, and settled as a mer- 
chant in Colchester, in Truro Parish. He married 
Miss Sallie Moore of Maryland. His son, General 
Henderson, says that during the Revolution he re- 
tired to a farm in Fairfax County for fear of fall- 
ing into the hands of the English, as he had taken 
a very decided part against the mother-country. 
He, General Washington and George Mason, 
were commissioners on the part of Virginia who 
met with the Maryland commissioners. Stone, 
Chase and Jenifer, at Mount Vernon on the 28th 
of March, 1785, made the compact as to the navi- 
gation and exercise of jurisdiction in the waters of 
Chesapeake Bay and Pocomoke. Col. Henderson 
represented Prince William County in the General 
Assembly in 1798, having in the meantime moved 
to Dumfries, which had long been one of the chief 
marts of commerce in Virginia. The late Murray 
Forbes, of Falmouth, son of Dr. Stirling Forbes, 
an eminent physician of Dumfries, when a boy be- 
came one of his clerks, living in his family and 
sharing his kindness with his sons. Col. Hender- 
son established a branch of his business in Alex- 

108 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

andria in connection with his cousin and son-in- 
law, known as "Scotch Sandy." In process of 
time he sent Mr. Forbes to Alexandria to man- 
age his share in the firm. When Mr. Forbes had 
become of age Col. Henderson told him he would 
like to keep him in his service, as he had con- 
ducted his business to his satisfaction and to his 
own credit. But he added, *'You should go into 
business on your own account. Here is a check 
for $5000 in compensation for your services, and 
I will give you a letter of credit for $5000 more. 
^Mr. Forbes was overwhelmed with surprise at the 
proposition, but the Colonel insisted, and Mr. 
Forbes became the accomplished merchant and 
gentleman so well known in Falmouth. He 
cherished a profound homage for Col. Hender- 
son's memory, and told his eldest son to hold his 
name, character and lineage, in high respect. Col. 
Henderson died in 181 5, leaving six sons and four 
daughters. John, Alexander and James moved to 
Wood County, West Va. Richard was an emi- 
nent lawyer of Leesburg. Archibald was Gen. 
Henderson of the Marine Corps, U. S. A. Thomas 
was a distinguished Surgeon of the Army, and one 
of the founders of the Theological Seminary of 
Virginia. One of his daughters, Sarah, was a de- 
vout and sweet poetess, and married Gen. Francis 
H. Smith, the Superintendent of the Virginia Mil- 
itary Institute. This old Vestryman is now repre- 
sented in the Parish by one of his lineal descend- 

109 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

ants, Mrs. Dr. Nevitt, of Accotink, who, like her 
great grandfather, worships in the same old Po- 
hick Church. 

Lund Washington, who became a Vestry- 
man in 1782, was the son of Townshend Wash- 
ington and Elizabeth Lund, of Chotank Creek, 
King George County. He was born October i, 
1737, and died in 1796. In his youth he was a 
manager of a large estate in Albemarle and 
Orange. He was then appointed manager of Rav- 
ensworth in Fairfax by Col. Flenry Fitzhugh, of 
King George. Subsequently he was chosen by 
General Washington to superintend Mt. Vernon, 
which he did until 1785. He w^as a man of great 
bodily strength and activity, and made money for 
his employers and for himself. He married his 
cousin, Betsey Foote. 

Edward Washington was chosen Vestry- 
man in 1779. Lund Washington says of him: 
"Edward Washington lived a few miles from Col- 
chester when I went there to live in 1786. My 
uncle, Lawrence Washington and I believed him 
to be a relative from his strong resemblance to 
the family." His father was living in 1788, a very 
old man. 

Dr. Peter Wagener, Vestryman in 1771, 
was an Englishman, and was Clerk of Stafford 
County before Fairfax was established. It was on 
his land that the town of Colchester was founded 
in 1754, and he was one of the original Trustees 

no 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

with Daniel Mc.Carty, John Barry, Wilham Elzy^ 
and Edward Washington. He married a sister of 
Mr. Speaker Robinson of the House of Burgesses. 
(1750.) Their daughter Ehzabeth married Rev. 
Spence Grayson of Dettingen Parish, (1781- 
1797). Peter Wagener, son of the foregoing, was 
chosen Vestryman in 1774 to succeed his father 
who died that year. He was Clerk of Fairfax 
County, and married a daughter of Daniel Mc.- 
Carty. Their son, Beverly Robinson, married in 
1790 a daughter of Col. Benjamin Harrison of 
Prince William County. A daughter of Peter 
Wagener married Dr. Morton of Colchester, and 
2d. Col. Porter of Prince William. 

Lawrence Lewis, of Woodlawn, was the 
son of Col. Fielding Lewis, of Fredericksburg, and 
his wife Betty, only sister of General Washington. 
He was born April 4, 1767. Col. Fielding Lewis, 
by his last will, dated October 19, 1781, devised 
to his son Lawrence one thousand acres of land 
in the County of Frederick, one sixth of his ne- 
groes and one third of his stock of cattle, horses, 
&c. When Lawrence had attained the age of 
twenty one he was engaged by his uncle to live at 
Mt. Vernon and aid him in receiving strangers and 
entertaining the perpetual flow of company to that 
hospitable mansion. In his letter Gen. Washing- 
ton said : — "Your Aunt and I are in the decline of 
life and are regular in our habits, especially of ris- 
ing and going to bed. I require some fit person 

III 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

to ease me of the trouble of entertaining company, 
particularly of nights, it being my inclination to 
retire, and, (unless prevented by very particular 
company,) I always do retire either to bed or to 
my study, soon after candle light. In taking these 
duties, which hospitality ahvays obliges me to be- 
stow upon company, off my hands, it would render 
me a very acceptable service." 

Mt. Vernon was the home of the beautiful Nel- 
lie Custis, Mrs. Washington's granddaughter, 
when Lawrence Lewis entered the bower. Two 
such bright particular stars thus moving in the 
same orbit, by a mutual attraction soon became 
one, according to that saying of our quaint old 
South, — "An invisible hand from Heaven mingles 
hearts by a strange secret and unaccountable con- 
junction." 

Gen. Washington in his last will devises two 
thousand acres of the Mt. Vernon estate to Law- 
rence Lewis and his wife, Eleanor P. (Custis) Lew- 
is. The writer has a beautiful plot of this land, 
with endorsement: ''A Plan of a part of Mt. Ver- 
non lands, N. W. of the road leading from the gum 
spring on little Hunting Creek to the ford of 
Dogue Run. Beginning at three red marked oaks 
on a rising therein, opposite to the old road which 
formerly passed through the S. end of Muddy Hole 
farm, including that part of Chaple land which be- 
longs to the subscriber, as also the Mill and Dis- 
tillery, showing the slopes, contents and relative 

112 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

situation of every field, lot, meadow, and likewise 
the shape and contents of every piece of wood- 
land appertaining thereto; the whole having been 
laid down by an actual and accurate survey, Sept. 
20, 1799. 

G. Washington." 

This survey was Washington's work less than 
three months before his death. 

Col. William Grayson. This gentleman, 
spoken of in the Records as the Attorney for 
the Vestry, merits special mention. He was the 
son of Benjamin Grayson, a wealthy merchant of 
Colchester, who married Susan Monroe of West- 
moreland. He was the brother of Rev. Spence 
Grayson, Rector of Dettingen Parish. William 
Grayson, born 1736, was educated in England and 
practiced law in Dumfries. On nth of November, 
1774, the Independent Company of Cadets was 
formed in Prince William and chose Grayson their 
Captain. The motto of the Company, was, ^'Attt 
Liber aut Nullus." A Committee consisting of 
Philip R. F. Lee was sent to wait on Col. Wash- 
ington and ask him to take command of the Com- 
pany as Field Officer. To this he assented, and 
when he took command of the Army he took leave 
of them in a formal letter. This Company offered 
to unite with the Fredericksburg Company and 
march to Williamsburg. 

Grayson was often at Mt. Vernon, as stated in 

113 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Washington's Diary. In August, 1776, Washing- 
ton appointed him one of his Aids, and he was 
with him in many campaigns in New Jersey and 
New York, distinguishing himself by his gallantry 
at Monmouth, and was in hearing of the spicy 
colloquy between Gen. Washington and Gen. 
Charles Lee. Grayson and Lieut. Col. Jones were 
appointed Colonels of the two new Regiments 
raised in Virginia. He was put by Washington at 
the head of a Commission to settle the vexed ques- 
tions arising out of the capture of Gen. Charles 
Lee. In 1778 he was made Commissioner on the 
Board of War. Bishop White used to tell an an- 
ecdote of the bold and dashing way in which he, 
at this time, dispersed a mob near his house in 
Philadelphia. In 1784 he was elected to Congress, 
and also made a member of a Court for determin- 
ing a dispute between Massachusetts and New 
Y^ork. In 1778 he was a member of the Virginia 
Convention to consider the ratification of the Con- 
stitution of the United States, and spoke and voted 
against it, chiefly upon the ground that the pro- 
posed Constitution would destroy the rights of the 
States, and there were no adequate checks against 
the abuse of power, especially by the President, 
who was responsible only to his counsellors and 
partners in crime, the members of the Senate. 
And yet, though in the minority on this exciting 
question, he and Richard Henry Lee were chosen 
the first Senators in Congress from Virginia. He 

114 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

served one session in the Senate, and died on his 
way to the second, on the 12th of March, 1790, 
and was buried in the family vault at Belaire in 
Prince William County. Although Col. Grayson 
filled so many public trusts with signal ability, he 
has, from want of a biographer, almost lapsed 
from history, while other inferior men live in story 
and song. In person he was six feet high, of a 
full habit and florid complexion, with black hair 
and eyes. With his varied culture he was elegant 
in conversation as he was able in debate. He mar- 
ried a sister of Gen. Smallwood, of Maryland, and 
left four sons, William, George, Alfred and Rob- 
ert, and one daughter, Helen, who married John 
Carter, of Loudoun, who went to Kentucky, and 
whose eldest son moved to Tennessee. Robert 
married Miss Breckenridge, of Kentucky. 

George Johnston. This gentleman, one of 
the legal advisers of the Vestry, was the son of 
Dr. James Johnston who migrated to Maryland. 
The son came to Virginia and settled in Fairfax 
County, which he represented in the General As- 
sembly. Patrick Henry's famous resolutions were 
seconded by Mr. Johnston in a ''speech of great 
eloquence and power." He married Miss Thomp- 
son, by whom he had two daughters, one of whom 
married Rev. Lee Massey, of Truro Parish, and 
the other married Robert Howson Harrison, one 
of Washington's aids. He married for his second 
wife Miss Mc.Carty, by whom he had five sons and 

115 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

four daughters. Two of his sons were officers in 
the Revolution, and a grandson, Major George 
Johnston, in the Confederate States Army. 

Martin Cockburn, whose name so often ap- 
pears in the Parish Records, was a native of 
Jamaica. While travelling in Virginia, in his 
eighteenth year, with Dr. Cockburn, he became 
fascinated with Miss Bronaugh. She would not 
go to Jamaica, and he had to come to Virginia to 
win the prize. He bought a farm, Springfield, 
near Gunston, where they lived to a good old age. 
He was a polished Christian gentleman, much es- 
teemed by George Mason, as is attested by their 
correspondence still extant. 

Capt. Cleon Moore, of Colchester, elected 
Vestryman in 1781, was badly wounded at the 
battle of Brandywine. He moved to Alexandria 
in 1800 and was appointed Register of Wills, 
which office he filled until his death in 1808. 
He was succeeded by his son Alexander, who was 
born at Colchester January 8, 1786. His first wife 
was the daughter of Col. Roger West, of West 
Grove, Fairfax County. Cleon Moore was the 
author of Washington's March. He was wont to 
tell this anecdote of himself, says Mr. Brocket, of 
the "Lodge of Washington" : 

During the Revolution he was stationed with 
a squad of men in the Northern Neck, without ra- 
tions. Chancing to see a flock of geese, belonging 
to a Mr. Page, he "impressed" them, except a 

116 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

gander, to whose neck he attached a piece of 
paper, containing nine-pence, with these Hnes : — 

''My good Mr. Page, 

Be not in a rage, 
Nor think it a very great wonder; 

We have taken nine geese, 

At a penny apiece, 
And sent the money home by the gander." 

[End of Dr. Slaughter's Manuscript.] 



117 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Thomas Withers Coffer, born 1713, and a 
Vestryman of Truro from 1765 to his death, 
in 1 78 1, was a son of Francis Coffer, (born 1683, 
died 1740) and Mary Littlejohn Withers, his wife. 
His seat was at or near the present residence of 
M. D. Hall, Esq., whose wife is one of his de- 
scendants; so he was one of the ''upper" Vestry- 
men, being a neighbor, as neighbors were ac- 
counted then, of Capt. Payne, Mr. Gardner, Mr. 
Ford and Mr. Ellzey. His wife was Mary Fargu- 
son, who was born in 171 5 and died in 1758. Their 
son Francis Coffer was born in 1748, and was a 
Vestryman from 1776 to 1785. He married a 
Miss Gunnell. Thomas Coffer, their son, born 
1773, was captain of a company from Fairfax in 
the war of 181 2. He married Ann Simpson, and 
died in 1862, leaving eight children, namely: Wil- 
liam Coffer, married Miss Harmed, line extinct; 
Hannah Coffer, married Silas Burke; Jane Coffer, 
married Levi Burke; Elizabeth Coffer, married 
George Selectman; Thomas Coffer, married Jane 
Selectman; Henry Coffer, married Harriett Tay- 
lor; Joshua Coffer, married Hulda Simpson; Armi- 
stead Thompson Mason Coffer, died unmarried. 
The descendants of Hannah, Jane, Henry and 
Joshua Coffer have restored a pew in Pohick 
Church in memory of Thomas Withers Coffer. 

Triplett. The will of Francis Triplett of the 
Parish of Truro is dated October 4th, 1757, and 
gives the names of his children, Thomas, Wil- 

118 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Ham, Daniel, John, Francis, Mason, Margaret^ 
(married^joylstonj and Patty. Of these WiUiam 
Triplett was a Vestryman of Truro from 1776 
to 1785, being elected in the room of George Wil- 
liam Fairfax. He was a man of prominence in 
his neighborhood, and was among the friends in- 
vited by Mrs, Washington to the funeral of the 
General. Thomas Triplett was a trooper in the 
French and Indian War, March, 1756; and his 
brother Francis Triplett was in Col. George Wash- 
ington's regiment in the same war. The latter re- 
ceived a wound in the arm, for which 55 pounds 
was granted him by the General Assembly. He 
was afterward a captain of militia in Fauquier 
County, a Justice of the Peace and a Vestryman 
of Leeds Parish. His daughter Ann married 
Capt. Elias Hord. The Rev. Arnold H. Hord, of 
Philadelphia, is among her descendants. 



119 



Vestrymen and Church Wardens of Truro 
Parish, i 732-1 785. 

(C. W ^Church Warden.) 

Dennis Mc.Carty, 1732-41. 
John Heryford, 1732-43 died. C. W. 1732-4. 
Edward Barry, 1732-44. C. W. 1737-44. 
Charles Broadwater, 1732-33 and 1744-65. C. 

w. 1750-1, 52-3, 56-7- 

Richard Osborne, 1732-48. C. W. 1747-8. 
John Lewis, 1732-33. 
Gabriel Adams, 1732-33. 
Edward Emms, 1732-48. C. W. 1732-6, 48-9. 
Francis Awbrey, 1733-34. 
William Godfrey, 1733-44. 
-" John Sturman, 1733-46. C. W. 1743. 
Giles Tillett, 1733-34. 

Rev. Lawrence De Butts, Minister, 1733-34. 
Michael Ashford, 1733-34. 
Jeremiah Bronaugh, 1733-44, and 1747-50 died. 

C. W. 1734-7. 42-4, 48. 

William Peake, 1733-44, and 1749-62 died. 
John Farguson, 1733-44. 
Thomas Lewis, 1733-44. C. W. 1736-40. 
James Baxter, 1734-36. 

120 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

John Colvill, 1734-48. C. W. 1740-2. 

Augustine Washington, 1735-37. 

Rev. Charles Green, Rector, 1737-64. 

John Baxter, 1743-44. 

Robert Boggess, 1744-65. C. W. 1748-9, 54-5, 
59-61. 

Daniel French, 1744-46. 

Andrew Hutchinson, 1744-48. C. W. 1747-8. 

John Minor, 1744-48. C. W. 1746-7. 

Lewis Ellzey, 1744-48, and 1765. C. W. 1744-6. 

John West, 1744-48, and 1750-65. C. W. 1744- 
6, 55-8. 

Hugh West, 1744-54 died. C. W. 1746-7, 48. 

George Mason, 1749-85. C. W. 1750, 55-6, 

65-6, 73-4. 

Daniel Mc.Carty, 1749-84. C. W. 175 1-2, 53-4, 
58-9, 64-5, 68-9, 75-6, 78-9, 81-4. 

John Turley, 1749-56. C. W. 1754-5- 

James Hamilton, 1749-56. C. W. 1 750-1. 

William Payne, Sr., 1750-65. C. W. 175 1-2, 
57-8. 

Abraham Barnes, 1750-65. C. W. 1753-4, 
59-61. 

William Fairfax, 1754-57 died. 

William Payne, Jr., 1756-65. C. W. 1 761-3, 64. 

Henry Gunnell, 1756-65. C. W. 1761-3. 

George William Fairfax, 1757-76. C. W. 1763- 
4, 70-1. 

121 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

George Washington, 1762-65, and 1765-84. C. 
W. 1763-4, 66-y, 74-5. 

Edward Payne, 1765-74. C. W. 1765-6, 70-1, 

73-4. 

Thos. Withers Coffer, 1765-84 died. C. W. 
1768-9, 71-2. 

WilHam Gardner, 1765-76. C. W. 1766-7. 

Alexander Henderson, 1765-85. C. W. 1769- 
70, 79-80. 

Thomazen Ellzey, 1765-85. C. W. 1767-8, 72-3, 
ye-y, 81-4. 

Thomas Ford, 1765-76. C. W. 1769-70. 

John Ford, 1765. 

Peter Wagener, Sr., 1765, 72-74 died. C. W. 
1771-2. 

WiUiam Linton, 1765-70 died. 

John Posey, 1765-70. C. W. 1767-8. 

Rev. Lee Massey, Rector, 1767-77. 

Martin Cockbtirn, 1770-79. C. W. 1772-3. 

Thomas Pollard, 1774-84. C. W. 1774-6, 78-9. 

Peter Wagener, Jr., 1774-85. C. W. iyy6-y, 79- 
80, 84-5. 

William Triplett, 1776-85. C. W. lyyy-^. 

Francis Coffer, 1776-85. C. W. 1777-8. 

Edward Washington, 1779-85. 

William Deneale, 1781-85. C. W. 1784-5. 

Cleon Moore, 1781-85. 

John Gibson, 1784-85. 

James Waugh, 1784-85. 

Lund Washington, 1784-85. 

122 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

All Vestries were dissolved at Easter, 1785, by 
the Act of Assembly by which the Protestant Epis- 
copal Church was incorporated. 



Clerks of the Vestry 

Edward Barry, 1732-44. 
William Henry Terrett, 1744-56. 
John West, Jr., 1756-64. 
John Barry, 1764-75. 
Rev. Lee Massey, 1775-77. 
Francis Adams, 1777-79. 
Peter Wagener, 1781-85. 



Clerks and Lay Readers at the Churches 

Joseph Johnson, New, or Falls, and Goose 
Creek, 1733-35. 

Edward Barry, Pohick, 1736-39. 

Samuel Hull, Goose Creek, 1736-40. 

John Bowie, Pohick, 1739-41. 

John Richardson, Goose Creek, 1741-45. 

John Barry, Pohick, 1743-75. Also at Alexan- 
dria, 1759-65; and at the Falls, 1761-65; and at 
Littlejohns, 1766. 

Walter EngHsh, Upper, or Falls, 1743-45. 

John W3^bird Dainty, Upper, or Falls, 1745-53; 
and Alexandria, 1754-57. 

John Allen, Goose Creek, 1745-46. 

123 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

John Moxley, Goose Creek, 1747. 

Thomas Evans, Goose Creek, 1748. 

WiUiam Donaldson, Upper, or Falls, 1754-55. 

John Lumley, Upper, or Falls, 1756-58; and 
Alexandria, 1758. 

Thomas Lewis, Falls, 1759-60. 

Elijah Williams, Littlejohns and Upper, or 
Payne's, 1766-69. Continued as Reader to 1771. 

Benjamin H. West, Upper, or Payne's, 1769-72. 

Daniel Atkins, Upper, or Payne's, \'j'j2-j'j\ and 
at Pohick, 1775-77. 

Overseers of the Poor 

The following is a list, in order, of the Overseers 
of the Poor, who succeeded the Vestries in caring 
for the poor of the County, and in certain other 
civil duties, from 1787 to 1802; from their records 
in the Vestry Book of Truro. Elections of Over- 
seers were held every three years. 

Peter Wagener Presley Gunnell 

Thomazen Ellzey George Summers 

John Fowler Nicolas Fitzhugh 

John Moss Coleman Brown 

Simon Sommers Rezin Offutt 

George Minor Thomas Darne 

Richard Simpson Daniel Kitchen 

John West William Gunnell, Jr. 

Roger West John Dulin 

124 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Daniel Mc.Carty Francis Coffer 

Thomas Pollard William Violett 

Thomas Gunnell Charles Thrift 

Thompson Mason William Middleton 

Charles Alexander Edward Dulin 

James Wiley James Douglass 



125 



^ 



Burgesses From Fairfax County 

(Note : Each County was entitled to two Bur- 
gesses.) 

Lawrence Washington, 1742- 1749. 
John Colvill, 1744- 1748. 
Richard Osborne, 1748- 1749. 
Hugh West, 1752-1754. 
Gerrard Alexander, 1 752-1 755. 
John West, 1756-1758, and 1761-1765, and 
1 766- 1 774. 

George William Fairfax, 1756- 1758. 
George Johnston, 1 758-1 765. 
George Mason, 1 758-1 761. 
George Washington, 1 765-1 775. 
Charles Broadwater, 1775. 

Delegates to the Conventions 
1775-1776. 

March 1775. George Washington and Charles 
Broadwater. 

July 1775. Charles Broadwater and George 
Mason. 

December 1775. Charles Broadwater. 

126 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

May 1776. John West, Jr., and George Mason. 

George William Fairfax was a Burgess for Fred- 
erick County, 1752-1755; Hugh West, 1756-1758; 
and George Washington, 1 758-1 765. Augustine 
Washington was a Burgess from W^estmoreland. 
1 754-1 758; William Fairfax a Burgess for Prince 
William before his promotion to the Council in 
1744; and James Hamilton a Burgess for Loudoun 
for many years prior to 1771. All of those named 
above, with the exception of Lawrence Washing- 
ton, Gerrard Alexander and George Johnston, 
were Vestrymen of Truro Parish. 

This list is gathered from Stanard's "Virginia 
Colonial Register," except in the case of Col. John 
Colvill, whom Stanard supposes to have succeeded 
William Fairfax as Burgess for Prince William 
in 1744. But beside the testimon}^ of the Rev. 
Charles Green that he was "3. Burgess for this 
county" in 1744, the Journal of the House of Bur*^ 
gesses for that year indicates that he was a mem- 
ber of the House when the Writ for the election 
of a successor to Mr. Fairfax was issued. The 
matter is set at rest, however, by reference to "The 
Poll for Election of Burgesses for Fairfax County 
in the year 1744," on record in the Clerk's ofifice. 
Capt. Lawrence Washington received 152 votes; 
Col. John Colvill, 151; Capt. Lewis Elzey, loi; 
and others a smaller number. 

127 



LIST OF VOTERS AT AN ELECTION OF 

BURGESSES IN FAIRFAX COUNTY 

IN 1744. 



fst 



(Note: — Not all of these voters lived in Fair- 

\ fax. An elector could vote in every country in 

'h which he owned a freehold of 25 acres of improved 

t land, or 100 acres if unimproved. Each name ap- 

./^ pears twice on the poll lists, hence the variations 

"Nr in spelling.) 



4 Benjamin Adams 
;j' Gabriel Adams 
^Gabriel Adams, Jun. 
■; George Adams 
Garrat Alexander 
Bryant Aliston 
John Allan 
John Ashford 
Michael Ashford 
William Ashford 
Francis Awbrey 
John Aylatt 
Robert Baker 
John Ball 
Moses Ball 
William Barker 
w^Wm. Barkley, or 
Buckley 
William Bartlett 



William Barton 
Robt. Bates 

H. Baugus, or Boggess 
John Baxter 
Thomas Beach 
Col. Blackburn 
■•--Robert Boggess 
W. Boylston, or Boilston 
Thos. Bosman 
William Bowling 
Henry Brent 
Chas. Broadwater 
Guy Broadwater 
John Bronaugh 
Jeremiah Bronaugh 
Thomas Brown 
John Canady 
Thos. Carney 
Richard Carpenter 

128 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 



Job Carter 
Wm. Champneys 
Nathaniel Chapman 
Josias Clapham 
William Clifton 
Catesby Cocke 

-John Cockerell 

;/ Richard Coleman y 

^: John Colvill 
Samuel Comer 

vjadwin Crutcher 
^Balden Dade 
Townsend Dade 
James Daniel 
Sampson Darrell 
Thomas Darus 
William Davie 
John Dickins 
Robert Dickins 
Joseph Dickson, or 

Dixon 
Daniel Diskin, or 

Deskins 
William Dodd 
George Dunbarr 
Blanchr. Duntan 
Cornelius Eltenger 
Thomas Ellett 
John Elliott 



Lewis Ellzey 
Edward Emms 
Col. Chas. Ewel(l) 
Bertram Ewell 
"Esquire" Fairfax 
Jeremiah Fairhurst 
Thomas Falkner 
John Farguson 
Thomas Ford 
George Foster 
Robert Forster 
Daniel French Sen. 
Daniel French (Jun.) 
Joshua Garrett 
Owen Gilmore 
William Gladding 
John Gladding 
John Goram 
Edward Graham 
John Graham 
John Grant Y 
John Grantum 
Charles Green 
Charles Griffin 
James Grimsley ^ 
Edward Grymes 
William Grymes 
John Guest 
Henry Gunnell 

129 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 



William Gunnel 
William Gunnel, Jun. 
William Hairsling 
William Hall, Sen. 
William Hall, Jun. 
Thomas Hall 
James Halley 
William Hailing 
John Hamilton 
John Hampton 
William Harle 
Samuel Harris, Sen. 
George Harrison 
Samuel Harrison 
Daniel Hart 
John Hartley 
John Hartshorne 
Francis Haugo, or Hago 
George Hester 
Robert Hester 
John Hicherson 
Jos. Higgerson 
Thomas Hicks 
Thomas Hord 
John Hurst 
John Husk 
i Andrew Hutchinson 
Nimrod Hutt 
Powell Jackson 



Joseph Jacobs 
Abel Jenny, or Janney 
Amos Jenny, or Janney 
Jacob Janney 
James Jefferey 
Ezekiel Jenkins 
James Jenkins 
John Jenkins 
William Jenkins 
Thomas John 
James Keith 
Robert King 
Richard Kirkland 
William Kirkland 
William Kitchen 
James Koon 
John Koon 
Daniel Krouch 
James Lane 
Jacob LawfuU 
Abraham Lay 
Thomas Lewis 
Thomas Lewis, Jun. 
Stephen Lewis 
Vincent Lewis 
Abraham Lindsey 
Moses Linton 
Jacob Lucas 
John Lucas 



130 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 



John Maiiley ^ 
Thomas Marshall 
John Martm 
Wm. Meckby, or Mc.Bee 
John Meade 
John Melton 
John Minor 
Thomas Monteith 
William Moore 
Thomas Moseley 
Thomas Moxley 
James Murray 
John Musgrove 
Christopher Neale 
Anthony Neale 
Henry Netherton 
Philip Noland 
Edward Norton 
Richard Omohundro 
Thomas Owsley 
William Peake 
Thomas Penson 
William Perkins 
Henry Peyton 
Vail Peyton 
George Piatt 
Nathaniel Popejoy 
Christopher Pritchett 
Jacob Ramey 
William Reardon 



Joseph Reid 
David Richardson 
James Roberts 
John Roberts, Sen. 
John Roberts, Jun. 
William Roberts ^ 
James Robinson 
John Robinson 
Richard Samford 
Robert Samford 
James Sanders, or 

Saunders 
Lewis Sanders 
Edniond Sands 
William Saunders 
Thomas Scandall 
James Scott 
Benj. Sebastian 
John Shaddedin 
William Shortridge 
Isaac Simmonds 
Baxter Simpson 
George Simpson 
Gilbert Simpson 
Richard Simpson 
William Simpson 
Jacob Smith 
James Smith 
Thomas Smith 
William Smith 



131 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 



James Spurr 
Samuel Stone 
John Straham 
William Stribling 
John Sturman 
William Stutt 
Francis Summers 
Isaac Summers 
John Summers 
George Taylor 
John Taylor 
W. H. Terrett 
David Thomas 
Daniel Thomas 
Robert Thomas 
John Thompson 
Samuel Tillett 
Daniel Trammel 
Garret, or Gerrard, 

Trammel 
John Trammell 
William Trammell 
Francis Triplett 
James Turley 
John Turley 



Fielding Turner 
Michael Valandigam 
Bond Veal 
Zepheniah Wade 
Samuel Warner 
Lawrence Washington 
Henry Watson 
James Waugh 
Hugh West 
John West 
Thomas West 
Richard Wheeler 
Thomas Whitford 
Francis Wilks 
Owen WilHams 
W^alter Williams 
William Williams, Sen. 
William Williams, Jun. 
Thomas Willis 
William Winsor 
Thomas Windsor 
Thomas Wren 
William Wright 
James Wyatt 
Daniel Young 



132 



Deed for Washington's Pew 

The Deeds, nine in number, for the pews sold 
in Pohick Church, including that for the Minis- 
ter's pew, are recorded in full in the records of the 
Clerk's Office of Fairfax County. Bishop Meade 
says they are probably the first of the kind ever 
executed in Virginia, as he had met with no hint 
of any such thing before in all his researches. The 
Deed for Washington's pews is as follows: 

"This Indenture, made the twenty fourth day 
of February, in the year of our Lord one thou- 
sand, seven and seventy four, between the Vestry 
of Truro Parish, in the County of Fairfax, of the 
one part, and George Washington, of the same 
parish and county, Gent : of the other part : Where- 
as the said Vestry did, on the 5th. Day of June, in 
the year 1772, order sundry pews in the new 
Church on the upper side of Pohick to be sold, at 
the laying of the next Parish Levy, to the highest 
bidder for the benefit of the Parish; pursuant to 
which order the said pews were sold accordingly 
by the Vestry at the laying of the said Parish 
Levy on the 20th. day of November, in the same 
year; and the said George Washington, party to 
these presents, then purchased one certain pew in 

133 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

the said Church for the price of sixteen pounds 
current money, to wit the pew numbered 28, sit- 
uate between the two long Isles and adjoining the 
North Isle and the space before the Communion 
Table, and a certain Lund Washington, Gent; did 
at the same time purchase another certain pew in 
the said Church for the price of thirteen pounds 
ten shillings, current money, to wit, the pew num- 
bered 29 situate between the two long Isles and 
adjoining the North Isle & the first mentioned 
pew, & whereas the said Lund Washington hath 
since relinquished and given up all his right and 
title to the said pew numbered 29 purchased by 
him as aforesaid unto the said George Washing- 
ton, as by the proceedings and records of the said 
Vestry, Reference being thereunto had, may more 
fully and at large appear. Now this indenture 
Witnesseth that the said Vestry, for and in con- 
sideration of the sum of twenty nine pounds ten 
shillings current money, to them in hand paid, for 
the use of the said Parish, by the said George 
Washington, before the sealing and delivery of 
these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby con- 
fessed and acknowledged, have granted, bargained 
and sold, aliened and confirmed, and by these 
presents do grant, bargain and sell alien and con- 
firm unto the said George Washington the said 
two pews in the said new Church lately built on 
the upper side of Pohick, in the said Parish of 
Truro and County aforesaid, numbered and sit- 

134 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

uated as above mentioned, To have and to hold 
the said two pews above described unto the said 
George Washington, his heirs and assigns, to the 
only proper use and behoof of him, the said George 
Washington, his heirs and assigns forever. And 
the said Vestry, for themselves and their succes- 
sors (Vestrymen of Truro Parish) do covenant and 
grant to and with the said George Washington, 
his heirs and assigns, that he the said George 
Washington, his heirs and assigns, shall and may 
forever hereafter peaceably and quietly have, hold 
and enjoy the said two pews above mentioned and 
described, without the Lawful Let, Hindrance, In- 
terruption, or Molestation of any person or per- 
sons whatsoever. In witness whereof the Vestry 
now present (being a majority of the Members) 
have hereunto set their hands and afifixed their 
seals the day and year first above written. 

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of 
Wm. Triplett, Wm. Payne, Jr., John Barry, John 
Gunnell, Thomas Triplett. 

G. Mason (Seal) 
Daniel Mc.Carty (Seal) 
Alex. Henderson (Seal) 
T. Ellzey (Seal) 
Thos. Withers CofTer (Seal) 
Thos. Ford (Seal) 
Pet: Wagener (Seal) 
Martin Cockburn. (Seal) 

135 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

"Received this twenty fourth day of February in 
the year 1774, of the within named George Wash- 
ington the sum of twenty nine pounds, ten shill- 
ings, current money, being the consideration men- 
tioned in the within Deed." 

"Witness:" (The same signatures as above.) 
Each Vestryman signed every Deed but his 
own, Washington's name always being second, ex- 
cept on the Deed to "George Mason of Gunston 
Hall," where it is first. 



135 



o 






O 
K. 

H 
3* 




Washington as a Church-Goer 

In a popular work entitled ''The True George 
Washington/' by the late Paul Leicester Ford, the 
brilliant author devotes a few pages only to a sub- 
ject which demands a far more accurate and sym- 
pathetic treatment than is given to it, namely, 
Washington's religious training and habits. Re- 
ferring to Washington's services as a Vestryman, 
it is acknowledged that he was "Quite active in 
Church affairs ;" but in touching these the author 
not only repeats all the traditional errors which, 
for lack of authentic data, have been made by 
previous writers on this subject, but he falls into 
a number of new and strange ones, and becomes 
involved in a most curious labyrinth of inaccura- 
cies. All these the foregoing pages will correct. 

In discussing Washington's habits in regard to 
church attendance he first quotes the well known 
testimony of the Rev. Lee Massey, his pastor and 
close personal friend, as follows: — 'T never knew 
so constant an attendant at Church as Washing- 
ton. And his behavior in the house of God was 
ever so deeply reverential that it produced the 
happiest efifect on my congregation, and greatly 
assisted me in my pulpit labors. No company ever 

^Z7 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

withheld him from Church. I have been at Mount 
Vernon on Sabbath morning when his breakfast 
table was filled with guests; but to him they fur- 
nished no pretext for neglecting his God and los- 
ing the satisfaction of setting a good example. For 
instead of staying at home, out of false complais- 
ance to them, he used constantly to invite them to 
accompany him." 

The author thereupon expresses the opinion 
that this was ''Written more with an eye to its in- 
fluence on others than to its strict accuracy;" and 
continues, — ''During the time Washington at- 
tended at Pohick Church he was by no means a 
strict Church goer. His daily 'Where and How 
my Time is Spent' enables us to know exactly how 
often he attended Church, and in the year 1760 
(?) he went just sixteen times and in 1768 he went 
fourteeen, these years being fairly typical of the 
period 1760-1773." 

As to the veracity of the Rev. Mr. Massey, 
whose testimony is so summarily set aside as dis- 
ingenuous, we have the witness of his friends and 
neighbors, the Vestrymen of his Parish, who, as we 
have seen, certified over their own signatures to 
"His moral character and unexceptionable life and 
conversation." He seems indeed to have been a 
man of almost super-conscientiousness. He re- 
tired from the practice of law because, as his 
grandson, Col. J. T. Stoddert, a gentleman of the 
highest standing, who remembered him well, 

138 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

states, "His conscience would not suffer him 'to 
make the worse appear the better reason,' and to 
uphold wrong against right. He tried to follow 
the lead of Chancellor Wythe, to examine cases 
placed in his care and to accept the good and re- 
ject the bad. It proved a failure, and he withdrew 
from practise. He recommended me to read law," 
he continues, "but earnestly opposed my pursuing 
it as a vocation. He was a good judge of charac- 
ter. He loved virtue and hated vice intensely. 
His integrity and honour were of the highest or- 
der, and he detested all meanness and double deal- 
ing with his whole heart." 

Such was the character borne by Mr. Massey, 
who certainly had the best opportunity possible to 
know the facts in the case. And his statement 
agrees with that of others who, to go no further 
afield, were members of Washington's household. 
Mrs. Custis, who spent two years at Mount Ver- 
non, testifies to "His extraordinary punctuality in 
attending Church and his reverent behavior there." 
And his ward, George Washington Parke Custis, 
of Arlington, wrote of him: "Washington was a 
strict and decorous observer of the Sabbath. He 
always attended divine service in the morning, and 
read a sermon or some portion of the Bible to 
Mrs. Washington in the afternoon." Mr. Custis 
is speaking of the period when Washington was 
President and had opportunity to attend Church 
regularly. 

139 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Figures standing alone are often seriously mis- 
leading, and those by which the testimony of Mr. 
Massey is sought to be impeached need some ex- 
planation. In the first place it is not quite certain 
that we can gather from Washington's diary "Ex- 
actly how often he attended Church." The cus- 
tomary and habitual is just what is usually omitted 
from a journal in which the record of a day is com- 
pressed within the compass of a few lines. A care- 
ful reading of this diary, kept for some years on 
the blank pages of interleaved almanacs and after- 
wards in small note-books, will show that while at 
home at Mount Vernon it was chiefly a record of 
the company he entertained, of his visits to his 
friends, of his surveys, his adventures in the hunt- 
ing field, etc. On Sundays he would sometimes 
mention going to Church quite incidentally, and 
it is seen that for a month or two he attended about 
as regularly as services were held. Then for two 
or more months perhaps there will be no mention 
of Church at all, and no explanation of why he did 
not attend if he did not. But when, for instance, 
he "Dined at Belvior" with such and such guests 
he might very well have gone to Church on the 
way, or the neighbors he had to dinner he would 
quite likely have brought from Church with him. 
The more usual record for Sundays, however, is 
"At home all day," or "At home all day alone." 
This would seem conclusive until we find that it is 
also a common formula for week days on which 

140 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

there was nothing of special note to record. It 
may simply mean that he dined at home without 
company; and especially so if he failed to make the 
entry on Sunday night but deferred it until he 
would be at his desk on Monday. Very occasion- 
ally he gives a reason why he was ''prevented from 
Church." 

But even if we grant that the above estimate of 
Washington's attendance at Church is substan- 
tially correct, other considerations must be borne 
in mind or our conclusions will be wholly at fault. 
It must be remembered that from 1760 to 1765 
there was but one minister in the whole of Fair- 
fax County, and he an old man in failing 
health. Mr. Green ministered alternately at three 
Churches, situated at a distance of about nine, te;i, 
and eighteen miles respectively from Mount Vei- 
non. This would allow him to preach seventeen 
or eighteen times in a year at Pohick. After the 
division of the Parish Mr. Massey had but two 
Churches and could preach twenty-six times a 
year at each, when the weather, the numerous 
water courses, and the state of the primitive road- 
ways through marsh and forest permitted a con- 
gregation to gather from distances of from five to 
fifteen miles. Residents of Fairfax can appreciate 
what eighteen miles, going and coming, in the 
Mount Vernon "chariot" or even on horseback, 
must have meant; and can still understand the 
statement of Mrs. Nellie Custis Lewis that Wash- 

141 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

ington attended Church "When the weather and 
roads permitted." Moreover Washington was ab- 
sent from home for several months of each year, 
frequently in the wilds of western Virginia or on 
the Ohio. While visiting relatives in the lower 
counties he mentions frequently the Churches he 
attended, probably as interesting memoranda, ard 
the same was the case when he was in Philadel- 
phia. At the Berkeley Springs he twice "attended 
Church forenoon and afternoon." At Fredericks- 
burg he "Went to prayers (lay reading) and dined 
afterwards at Col. Lewis." On hearing that the 
smallpox had broken out among his servants in 
Frederick, he starts at once to visit them and 
"Took Church on my way to Colemans." These 
and many such references indicate his habit. The 
argument from silence is never a very safe one, 
and his frequently omitting to mention going to 
Church in the regular routine of life at Mount Ver- 
non does not, we think, prove that he was "By no 
means a strict Church goer," especially in view of 
the conditions existing. 

It is interesting to note that twice within two 
weeks Washington makes record of having stood 
as Sponsor at the baptism of infants. According to 
the best evidence we have he was a regular Com- 
municant during the period under discussion. In 
1770 and in 1772 he mentions being at Church on 
Christmas day, which was always a Communion 
occasion. 

142 



The Disestablishment of the Church in 

Virginia 

To one of the old Vestrymen of Truro has been 
accorded by universal acclaim the title of Father 
of his Country, chiefly because of his pre-emi- 
nent leadership in her struggle for Independence. 
To another of these Vestrymen belongs the title 
of the Father of Religious Liberty. It is to 
George Mason that religion in America is indebted 
for the first clear and certain note proclaiming her 
right to be free, proceeding not from the bias of 
the partisan but from the wisdom of profound 
statesmanship. To him, too, more than to any 
other, the Church in Virginia owes her emancipa- 
tion from the bonds of her vassalage to the State; 
bonds which had been her support once, and on 
which she still leaned with a woeful persistenc3^ 
but which had almost crushed out her very life. 
From the dawn of American independence Mason 
saw not only the political necessity and the inher- 
ent justice of the complete separation of the 
Church from the State, but must have recognized 
also, with many others, that the existence of the 
Church of which he was a devoted adherent would 
ultimately depend upon her being freed from her 

143 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

political dependence and forced to rely upon the 
voluntary and intelligent support of her own chil- 
dren. Having adopted these views he pursued 
them to the end with a consistency and clearness 
of vision which was rare among his contem- 
poraries. 

The various Acts of the General Assembly by 
which the complete disestablishment of the Church 
was brought about were the following. 

On the 1 2th of June, 1776, the State Conven- 
tion, composed almost wholly of Churchmen, 
adopted without a dissenting voice, that famous 
"Declaration of Rights" which declared in its con- 
cluding article "That religion, or the duty which 
we owe to our CREATOR, and the manner of dis- 
charging it, can be directed only by reason and 
conviction, not by force or violence, and therefore 
all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of 
religion, according to the dictates of conscience; 
and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice 
Christian forbearance, love, and charity, towards 
each other." This "Bill of Rights," as it is usually 
called, was from the pen of Mason, and while it 
is quite possible that some in the Convention 
failed to perceive its full significance, it led, as it 
was mean to lead, to the withdrawal by the State 
of all support or supervision of religion. 

The first General Assembly of the Common- 
wealth under the new Constitution met in Octo- 
ber, 1776. Among its earliest Acts was the one 

144 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

entitled, "An Act for exempting the different so- 
cieties of Dissenters from contributing to the sup- 
port and maintenance of the church as by law es- 
tablished, and its ministers, and for other pur- 
poses therein mentioned." Mason was Chairman 
of the Committee which brought in this Act, and 
it is supposed to have been written by his own 
hand. The Act is very long, almost every section 
having its own explanatory preamble. The first 
section repeals within this Commonwealth all Acts 
of Parliament directed against dissent or dissent- 
ers. The second exempts all dissenters from the 
established Church from all levies, taxes, and im- 
positions whatever towards supporting and main- 
taining the said Church or its ministers. The 
Vestries, however, could still levy on all tithables 
for arrears in the salaries of ministers, for paro- 
chial engagements already entered into, and for 
the poor. Section four contains this important 
provision : ''That there shall in all time coming be 
saved and reserved to the use of the Church as by 
law established the several tracts of Glebe lands 
already purchased, the churches and chapels al- 
ready built, — all books, plate, and ornaments, be- 
longing or appropriated to the use of the said 
church," and to each parish all private donations 
which may have been made to it. The next sec- 
tions reserve for future determination, when the 
opinion of the country shall be better known, the 
question whether the support of ministers and 

145 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

teachers of the gospel of the different denomina- 
tions shall be provided for by a general assessment 
or be left to voluntary contributions. And be- 
cause the support of the clergy might fall too heav- 
ily on the members of the established Church in 
some parishes under the exemptions allowed dis- 
senters, they were left to be supported for the 
present by voluntary contributions, and all acts for 
the support of the clergy by levies were suspended 
until the end of the next session of the Assembly. 
The remaining sections provide for taking Hsts of 
tithables. 

The act for the support of the clergy continued 
to be suspended from time to time by the Assem- 
bly until the session of October, 1779, when so 
much of that act, and of every other act, as pro- 
vided for salaries for the ministers of the Church 
of England, and authorizing levies for the same, 
was finally repealed. 

The question between assessments and volun- 
tary contributions was, however, still undecided. 
During the session of Assembly beginning Octo- 
ber, 1784, a measure was introduced known as the 
Assessment Bill, providing for the legal support of 
ministers and teachers of religion of all denomina- 
tions by a general assessment upon the people of 
the State. It was supported by Edmund Ran- 
dolph, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, John 
Page, Edmund Pendleton and others, while a de- 
termined opposition was led by James Madison. 

I 146 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

When the measure was about to pass Madison suc- 
ceeded in having the final vote deferred until the 
next session. In the meantime, at the urgent sug- 
gestion of Mason, Nicholas and others, he pre- 
pared the famous ''Memorial and Remonstrance" 
which was printed and circulated broadcast for sig- 
natures. Of these it received so many that at the 
following session of the Assembty the bill was 
readily defeated, and the principle of the support 
of religion by voluntary contributions was tacitly 
adopted. 

Mason was active in circulating the Remon- 
strance, and among others he sent a copy to Gen- 
eral Washington, his late fellow Vestryman. 
Washington wrote him in reply from Mount Ver- 
non, Oct. 3rd, 1785: ''Although no mans senti- 
ments are more opposed to any kind of restraint 
upon religious principles than mine are, yet I must 
confess that I am not amongst the number of 
those who are so much alarmed at the thought of 
making people pay toward the support of that 
which they profess, if of the denomination of Chris- 
tians, or declare themselves Jews, Mohammedons, 
or otherwise, and thereby obtain proper relief." 
But he thought the bill unfortunate at that time, 
and that it would be impolitic to make it a law. 

The fight over this measure was one of the most 
strenuous and persistent that had ever engaged 
the Virginia Legislature. That it should have 
been advocated by so many great State-<^men and 

147 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

devoted Churchmen is a surprise to us at this 
day. The tradition and custom of many centuries 
was hard to be overcome, and the maintenance of 
religion without the sanction and support of the 
government in some form was to them an untried 
experiment, and of very doubtful success. Their 
opportunism was the child of their fears for re- 
ligion and the Church. 

But the public sentiment manifested in the re- 
sponse to the Remonstrance paved the way for 
the adoption of the Statute of Religious Freedom, 
inspired by Mason, written by Jefferson, and 
passed through the efforts of Madison. This bill 
had been reported in 1779 by the Committee ap- 
pointed in 1776 for the revisal of the laws, con- 
sisting of Thomas Jefferson, George Wythe, 
George Mason, Edmund Pendleton, and Thomas 
Ludwell Lee, all of them old Vestrymen of the 
Church. Mr. Mason resigned from the Commit- 
tee on the ground that he was no lawyer, and Mr. 
Lee died, before the report was made, but not un- 
til the plan of the work was settled and in a consid- 
erable degree carried into execution. This act, 
however, was not passed until 1785. The kernel 
of this famous bill, the "first act of reHgious free- 
dom that ever passed a legislative assembly on the 
face of the earth," is contained in the words, — 
"That no man shall be compelled to frequent or 
support any religious worship, place, or ministry 
whatsoever, — but that all men shall be free to pro- 

148 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

fess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion 
in matters of religion," &c. 

The real disestablishment of the Church had oc- 
curred a year before in the"Act for Incorporating 
the Protestant Episcopal Church." This was 
passed in response to a petition of the Clergy, who, 
it would appear, desired to be themselves incor- 
porated. But the Assembly would have none of 
this, and formed the minister and Vestry of each 
parish respectively a body corporate and politic, 
empowered to hold, acquire, and dispose of prop- 
erty for the use of the Church, and to make rules 
and orders for managing its temporal affairs. All 
present vestries were dissolved, and the method 
of electing the Vestries every three years is pre- 
scribed. All former acts relating to the powers or 
duties of vestries or ministers, and all acts touch- 
ing upon doctrine, discipline, or forms of worship 
are repealed. The vestries were authorized to reg- 
ulate all the religious affairs of the Church in Con- 
vention, to consist of two deputies from each par- 
ish, of whom the minister, if there was a minister, 
should be one. This Act was repealed two years 
later, but not until under its sanction the first Con- 
vention of the Church met, and the Diocese of 
Virginia was organized, May i8th, 1785. 

So far the legislation affecting the Church had 
been guided, and in large part induced, by Her 
own sons, nourished at her side. Of that which 
followed another story might be told. The repeal, 

149 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

in 1799, of all laws relating to ''the late protestant 
episcopal church," (sic), the Act of 1802 confiscat- 
ing the glebes, solemnly saved and reserved for 
the use of the said Church by two previous Acts of 
the Assembly, and claiming the right, though for- 
bearing to exercise it, of confiscating the church 
buildings also, and the persistent refusal through 
many years to allow the Church to hold charitable 
funds or secure incorporation for her educational 
institutions; these show an animus which we re- 
joice to believe has almost disappeared, giving 
way to the sweeter claims of reason and charity. 



150 



Later History of Pohick Church 

Upon the organization of the Diocese of Vir- 
ginia in the year 1785 no representative appears 
in the Convention from Truro Parish, nor does 
the name of the Parish appear on the Convention 
journals for more than half a century except once 
in a list of the parishes as divided into Presbyterial 
Districts. What occasional services, if any, were 
held in Pohick Church after the death of the Rev. 
Mr. O'Neill in 1813 we know not, until the si- 
lence is broken in 1838 by Bishop Meade in the 
report to the Convention from which extracts 
have already been given by Dr. Slaughter. To 
the same Convention the Rev. William P. C. John- 
son reports, as Rector of Pohick Church, Truro 
Parish, — "It has been nearly two years since the 
minister of this Parish first commenced regular 
services in a Church, which, for a number of years, 
has resounded the echoes of the beasts of the field, 
instead of the prayers and praises of rational crea- 
tures. Owing to the dilapidated condition of the 
Parish Church his services have hitherto been only 
occasional. An effort is now being made to re- 
store this Church to a comfortable condition, and 
the hope is entertained that ultimate good may 

151 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

result from religious services in this hitherto 
moral waste of the Lord's vineyard." In 1841 
he makes his last report, and adds ''The minister 
of Truro Parish respectfully reports that the ven- 
erable Church edifice in which he officiates has 
been rescued from further decay and dilapida- 
tion." He makes no mention of the number of 
Communicants, but during the four years of his 
ministry there he baptized four white and eighteen 
colored infants, and officiated at eight marriages 
and four burials. He rendered occasional services 
at old Aquia Church in Stafford County and in the 
old Court House at Dumfries in Prince William. 
He was also employed as a tutor for the children 
of the last Mrs. George Mason, of Gunston Hall. 

After Mr. Johnson's retirement the Church was 
sometimes opened for Divine service by Students 
from the Theological Seminary, with perhaps oc- 
casional visits from the Professors. The Metho- 
dists also preached there from time to time. In 
1 86 1 the Rev. R. T. Brown, of Fairfax C. H. re- 
ported that he had "Also taken charge of Pohick 
Church, near Mount Vernon, with fair prospects 
of success." But the outbreak of war made his 
ministry there a short one. 

When the war was over it was found that Pohick 
had fared comparatively well, for there was left of 
it the walls, the roof and the ceiling. Of the in- 
terior woodwork there also remained the original 
cornice, while the stone font was afterwards dis- 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

covered in a neighboring farmyard where it had 
been used as a watering trough. Of its rehabiH- 
tation and consecration Bishop Johns wrote a few 
months before his death: — 

"October 3d. 1875. I consecrated Pohick 
Church. Morning service by the Rev. Dr. Pack- 
ard and the Rev. Dr. Mcllhenny. Sermon by my- 
self. This venerable building, in the location and 
erection of which General Washington was so ac- 
tive, was for many years the Parish Church of the 
family at Mount Vernon. It was during the late 
war shamefully damaged by its military invaders, 
who left it to crumble under the wasting influences 
of the weather, and to be carried off at pleasure 
by any one who fancied its material for private 
use. So, after the war of the Revolution, disap- 
peared the church in which the ''Father of his 
Country" was said to have been christened, and 
such seemed to be the doom of the church of his 
manhood, but its sad condition came to the knowl- 
edge of a generous Christian gentleman of New 
York, who enquired, then came and looked, and 
then never intermitted his efforts till the ruin was 
thoroughly repaired. A new chancel with all its 
appropriate furniture and a handsome communion 
service was provided, a font in front and a con- 
venient robing room on one side of the chancel 
and a good pipe organ on the other. The restora- 
tion was complete, and the large congregation 
now assembled were gladdened by the presence 

153 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

of the benefactor to whose sympathy and services 
they were so largely indebted, and who was now 
with them uniting in the consecration of the ven- 
erable building which he had been the honored 
agent in rescuing from ruin and preserving for 
their great benefit and the honour and worship of 
God. Until an ordained minister can be procured 
to oilficiate regularly for this congregation stated 
services will be rendered by students of the Semi- 
nary appointed for the purpose." 

In September, 1881, the Rev. Samuel A. Wallis, 
newly ordained, took charge of Pohick, and from 
this moment the real revival of its life began. He 
found but ten Communicants. But his faithful 
work among the people of a widely scattered com- 
munity soon resulted in gathering a large and in- 
terested congregation, to whom he ministered for 
thirteen years. A rectory was secured and other 
parish property added, and the active interest of 
the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association was en- 
listed in the church. Mr. WalHs resigned in 1894. 
Bishop Newton thus speaks of his ministry there : 
*'The history of old Pohick Church for the past 
thirteen years, its resuscitation and progress, 
speaks with no uncertain sound in favor of a long 
and faithful pastorate. When Rev. S. A. Wallis 
entered upon the work as a Deacon it was one of 
the least promising fields in the Diocese. He left 
it, when elected a Professor in the Theological 
Seminary, with the church building in good con- 

154 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

dition, a comfortable rectory, and the number of 
Communicants increased tenfold. The Sunday 
School of nearly one hundred scholars presented 
a most cheering outlook for the future." 

Mr. Wallis continued his oversight of the con- 
gregation until the Rev. Henry F. Kloman took 
charge in the summer of 1895. He remained two 
years, and was succeeded in October, 1897, by the 
Rev. Everard Meade, the present beloved Rector. 
Under him the work, which has long been in con- 
templation, of a real restoration of the interior of 
the Church to its original appearance and beauty, 
has progressed and is in large part completed. The 
chancel, pulpit and the principal pews are now re- 
produced as exactly as possible as they were when 
the Church was received by the Vestry from the 
hands of Col. George Mason in 1774. The pews 
in the rear of the building alone remain to be re- 
stored. In this work the Rector and Vestry have 
been generously aided by the Mount Vernon As- 
sociation, the Daughters of the American Revolu- 
tion, and other patriotic and antiquarian societies, 
as well as by individuals who have been interested 
in preserving the sacred memories which cluster 
around this sturdy old temple of God. The re- 
opening of the Church after its restoration took 
place on Advent Sunday, 1906; the sermon being 
preached by the Rev. Dr.. S. A. Wallis. 

Since the year 1873 the following gentlemen, in 
order of their election, have served on the Vestry 

155 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

of Pohick Church: R. G. Nevitt, T. F. Chapman, 
Charles Landstreet, Charles Potter, J. H. Clag- 
gett, J. M. Lewis, Dr. N. B. Nevitt, Seth Kurhling, 
W. R. Ward, A. C. Landstreet, James Haslip, 
George Erskine, John Theisz, John K. Nevitt, 
Harrison H. Dodge, John Landstreet, Joseph 
Specht, L. G. Reid, Wm. M. Nevitt, R. W. Gail- 
lard, J. P. H. Mason, Corbin Thompson, L. A. 
Denty, George N. Milstead, B. F. Nevitt, Dr. W. 
P. Caton. 

The present Vestry consists of Messrs.. Thomas 
F. Chapman, William M. Nevitt, John Landstreet, 
N. B. Nevitt, M. D., W. P. Caton, M. D., J. P. H. 
Mason, Harrison H. Dodge, George N. Milstead, 
B. F. Nevitt, Corbin Thompson, L. A. Denty, and 
Luther G. Reid. 

Olivet Church; Truro Parish. A Chapel 
bearing this name was for many years a Mis- 
sion station in charge of the students of the 
Theological Seminary of Virginia. This was de- 
stroyed during the war. A second Chapel was 
built on the same site, and was consecrated by 
Bishop Johns, June 2d, 1872. Twenty years later 
the present Church was built on a different and 
better site, and was consecrated by Bishop F. M. 
Whittle, April 4th, 1898. Olivet became con- 
nected with Pohick in 1881, when the Rev. Mr. 
Wallis took charge of them, and has since re- 
mained under the care of the Rector and Vestry 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

of Pohick Church. It is situated near Franconia 
Station. 

Pohick Chapel. This is a small Chapel, 
situated about four and a half miles northwest of 
Pohick Church, to which it belongs. It was built 
in 1903 through the efforts of the Rev. Everard 
Meade, and was consecrated by Bishop R. A. Gib- 
son on October 12th of that year. 



^17 



ZioN Church, Truro Parish 

This Church, at the county seat of Fairfax 
County, was founded in the year 1843 by the Rev. 
Richard Templeton Brown. Mr. Brown was at 
that time Rector of the Falls Church. In his re- 
port from that Church to the Diocesan Council 
of 1843 h^ makes the following note: 

''Fairfax court-house. On the 8th of February 
last we had the pleasure of organizing a new con- 
gregation at this very destitute place, and prompt 
measures were adopted for the immediate erection 
of a plain and substantial Church. The edifice has 
been commenced, and, if not entirel}^ finished, will 
be used during the present year. Some of the 
most influential citizens of the place and neighbor- 
hood are interested in the work; the ladies also 
are zealously engaged; and we trust that, by the 
blessings of God, the Church at this place will ex- 
ert a wide and purifying influence. Communicants 
5. Families who will be regular^ connected with 
the Church, about 12." The services were at first 
held in the Court House, but when for some 
reason its use was forbidden Mrs. Daniel Rumsey 
of "Mount Vinyard," a Baptist lady, declared that 
she "could not see the Ark of the Lord refused a 

158 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

shelter," and offered her parlor in which the con- 
gregation met until the Church was completed. 
She was the mother of Mr. William T. Rumsey, 
who gave the lot for the Church and was one of 
its first Vestr3^men. Mr. Brown removed from the 
field during the following year, and was succeeded 
in a few months by the Rev. William F. Lock- 
wood, who at first combined the work with that of 
St. Stephen's Church, Fauquier, but afterwards re- 
signed the latter and took charge of the Falls 
Church. The Church was completed, and was 
consecrated by the Right Rev. William Meade, D. 
D., on the 28th of June, 1845, under the name of 
Zion Church. It was a frame building, of the 
same size as the present Church, and was the first 
Church of any kind erected in the village. At this 
time there were 14 Communicants. Mr. Lock- 
wood remained as Rector until 1852 or 1853, when 
he removed to Maryland. Under his ministry St. 
John's Church, Centerville, was built, and was con- 
secrated by Bishop John Johns, D. D., July 14th, 
1851. 

Occasional services were held by the Professors 
of the Theological Seminary until the Rev. R. T. 
Brown returned to his old charge in 1855, and re- 
mained Rector of Zion Church, in connection with 
the Falls and St. John's, until he and the greater 
part of his congregation were forced to flee from 
their homes in 1861, when Fairfax became in- 
volved in the maelstrom of war. Four years later, 

L59 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

when the people returned to their desolated 
homes, they found only the foundation of their 
Church remaining. It had shared the fate of per- 
haps a majority of the country churches in that 
beautiful section, where they ''Made a solitude and 
called it peace." Early in the conflict it had been 
used as a storehouse for the munitions of war, and 
rapidly becoming dilapidated it had been finally 
torn down by Union soldiers to provide material 
for their winter quarters on a neighboring hillside. 
There was no minister until February, 1867, 
when the Rev. W. A. Alrich was ordained to the 
diaconate and sent to undertake the work of re- 
suscitating the Church at this point, in connection 
with Centerville, and Haymarket in Prince Wil- 
liam County. He found 18 Communicants. Ser- 
vices were held in the Court House. He reported, 
however, "A deep interest manifested in reHgious 
matters, and a willingness to make every sacrifice 
for the sake of the Master and his cause. The 
people, in their impoverished condition, are 
now making an earnest efifort to rebuild their 
Churches." On December 13th, 1868, Bishop 
Whittle visited the congregation and confirmed 
fourteen persons in the Court House. He re- 
ported the new Church as being under roof, but 
its completion delayed for want of funds, and adds, 
"I think there is no congregation in the Diocese 
more deserving of help than this, where the peo- 
ple have shown such a determination to help them- 

160 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

selves." Mr. Alrich resigned, and was succeeded 
in June, 1869, by the Rev. William M. Dame, who 
remained during the year of his diaconate. The 
Rev. D. Hanson Boyden succeeded him in the 
summer of 1870, and gave the whole of his short 
ministry of fifteen months to this Parish. He re- 
signed on account of faihng health on October ist, 
1 871, and died less than three months later. 
Bishop Johns said of him : ''His ministry was short 
and emphatic. The distress which his early death 
caused to the people whom he served affords af- 
fecting evidence of his personal worth and minis- 
terial fidelity and usefulness." 

The Rev. John McGill took charge during the 
summer of 1872. The second Zion Church was 
now completed, and being furnished and freed 
from debt was consecrated by Bishop Johns on 
the 6th of December, 1875. It is a frame build- 
ing and was erected on the foundation of the orig- 
inal Church at a cost of about $2,000. On the day 
following its consecration Christ Church at Chan- 
tilly was also consecrated. This, with the Church 
at Centerville, which was also rebuilt, though 
really in old Cameron Parish, were supposed to 
be in Truro and were under the charge of Mr. 
McGill. In 1884 these Churches, with that at 
Herndon and the mission at Clifton, were formed 
into a Parish called Upper Truro. 

Mr. McGill resigned April 23d, 1878, and was 
succeeded by the Rev. Frank Page during the fol- 

161 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

lowing summer. In the year 1882 the present 
Rectory property adjoining the Church was pur- 
chased for $2,600. Mr. Page resigned November 
19th, 1889. During the eariier part of his rector- 
ship he ministered at no less than five Churches, 
but after the formation of Upper Truro Parish his 
labors were confined to Zion and the Falls 
Churches. After his removal the Church re- 
mained vacant until July, 1890, when Mr. J.Cleve- 
land Hall, formerly a Presbyterian minister, but 
now a candidate for orders in the Episcopal 
Church, came as a Lay-Reader and continued to 
officiate as such until his ordination to the Diaco- 
nate in June, 1891; after which he continued as 
minister-in-charge until July, 1892. During the 
following year services were held by Mr. W. A. 
R. Goodwin, candidate for orders, and other stu- 
dents from the Theological Seminary. In the 
summer of 1893 the Rev. Thomas D. Lewis be- 
came the minister, in connection with . Trinity 
Church, Manassas; the old partnership with the 
Falls Church having been dissolved. Mr. Lev/is 
remained until May, 1896, when failing health 
compelled him to resign. He was followed by the 
Rev. W. H. K. Pendleton, who served the same 
Churches until early in 1900, when, the work hav- 
ing outgrown the capacity of a single minister, he 
resigned Zion Church and confined his labors to 
the neighboring Parish. An alliance was then 
formed with the Church of the Holy Comforter at 

162 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

Vienna, Fairfax County, now McGill Parish, and 
after some months the Rev. Albert R. Walker be- 
came the Rector. He continued until September, 
1902, and was succeeded in June, 1903, by the 
Rev. Henry B. Lee, Jr., who remained nine 
months. On June ist, 1904, the Rev. Edward L. 
Goodwin became Rector. 

The destruction of all the Parish Records during 
the war of 1861 makes it impossible to give a list 
of the Vestrymen who served prior to that time. 
Among the families who formed the congregation 
of Zion Church in ante-helium days were the Bak- 
ers, Balls, Chichesters, Fairfaxes, Fitzhughs, Fur- 
gussons, Gunnells, Hunters, Mosses, Ratclififes, 
Ronks, Ryers, Stuarts, Terretts, Towners, Burkes, 
Coopers, Loves, Thomases, &c. The gentlemen 
of some of these families doubtless formed the Ves- 
try of those days. Since 1872 the succession of 
Vestrymen has been as follows: William T. Rum- 
sey, Thomas Moore, H. C. Fairfax, Albert Fair- 
fax, M. D., O. W. Huntt, W. D. McWhorter, M. 
D., Joseph Cooper, James M. Love, Daniel Mc- 
Carty Chichester, Gen. W. H. F. Lee, E. D. Fick- 
lin, G. Pat Berkley, J. N. Ballard, John Peabody, 
Upton H. Herbert, Washington Terrett, W. P. 
Moncure, M. D., Robert E. Lee, Jr., S. Thornton 
Terrett, R. Ewell Thornton, Alex. C. Bleight, C. 
Vernon Ford, J. Conway Chichester, J. B. Bow- 
man, R. Walton Moore, Thomas R. Keith, James 
P. Machen, Jr., Harry L. Burrows. Of these Mr. 

163 



THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH 

O. W. Huntt, Mr. Joseph Cooper and Mr. James 
M. Love have served continuously on the Vestry 
for thirty-five years, equalling the record of those 
veteran Colonial Vestrymen, George Mason and 
Daniel Mc.Carty. Besides these the Vestry at 
present consists of Messrs. Moncure M. D., R. E. 
Lee, Thornton, Bleight, R. W. Moore, Keith, and 
Burrows. 

Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Truro Par- 
ish. This Chapel, situated one and a half miles 
north of Burke's Station, grew out of Sunday 
School founded at Ashford school house many 
years ago by the Misses Fitzhugh and others, 
and continued chiefly by Mrs. Upton H. Her- 
bert, under the Rectorship of the Rev. Frank 
Page. By the earnest efforts of Mrs. Herbert, be- 
gan in 1882 and continued through more than a 
decade of years, the means were collected and the 
Chapel built. It was consecrated bv Bishop John 
B. Newton, December ist. 1896. The Rev. S. A. 
Wallis, of Pohick Church, held services for a num- 
ber of years in the school house and afterward in 
the new building. Since 1894 it has been under 
the charge of the Rector and Vestry of Zion 
Church. 



164 



INDEX 



NOTE: For many Proper Names not found in the 
Index see under Lists of Vestrymen, Processioners, Voters, 
etc., and throughout the book. 



Acts of General Assembly, 
2, 17, 22, 26, 28, 38, 40. 

Adams, Gabriel, 4. 

Alexandria, 30. First Church 
in, 30. Christ Church, 
47, 97. 

Alrich, Rev. W. A., 160. 

Andrews, Rev. John, 48. 

Ashford, Michael, 5. 

Assessment Bill, 146. 

Attorneys for Parish, 32, 49, 
64. 

Aubrey, Francis, 4. 

Barnes, Abraham, 27. 

Barry, Edward, 4. John, 49. 

Baxter, James, 7. 

Bill of Rights, 144. 

Blackburn, Richard, 6. Fam- 
ily, 103. 

Blumfield, Rev. Joseph, 15.4 

Boggess, Robert, 21. 

Books, Ornaments, &c. for 
Churches, 15, 62, 67, 88. 

Boyden, Rev. D. H., 161. 

Braddock's Road, 23. 

Broadwater, Charles, 4, 27ff. 

Bronaugh, Jeremiah, 4ff. 

Brown, Rev. R. T., 158. 

Burgesses from Fairfax, 
List of, 126. 

Cameron Parish, 22, 26, 
161. Churches in, 22, 24. 

Champneys, William, 25. 

Chapel Above Goose Creek, 
5. 

Church, The Colonial, in 



Virginia, Introduction. De- 
cay of, 96. Disestablish- 
ment of, 143. 

Church Plate, 15, 61, 69, 
145. 

Church Wardens, Duties of, 
16, 78. List of, 120. Be- 
come Overseers of the 
Poor, 93. 

Clerks and Lay Readers, 
List of, 123. 

Clerks of the Vestry, List 
of, 123. 

Cockburn, Martin, 78, 116. 

Coffer, Francfis, 92. Thos. 
Withers, 44ff. Family, 
118. 

Cocke, Catesby, 9, 16. 
_^^olchester, 31. 

Colville, Col. John, 7ff., 127. - 

Contracts for Church Build- 
ings, 51, 73. 

Dame, Rev. W. M., 161. 

De Butts, Rev. Lawrence, 5. 

Delegates to State Conven- 
tion, 1775-6, 126. 

Deneale, William, 94. i- 

Diocese of Virginia Organ- 
ized, 149. 

Dranesville, Church near, 
24. 

Ellzey, Lewis, 21, 127. Thom- 
azen, 44fC. 

Emms, Edward, 4ff. 

Fairfax County formed, 17. 
Boundaries changed, 26. 



INDEX 



Fairfax Court House, 17, 

158. 
Fairfax Parish, 36. Contest 

over lines, 89. Final Act 

establishing, 40. Vestries 

elected, 44-5. 
Fairfax, George William, 

33ff, 127. 

Lord Thomas, 1, 10. 

William, 32-3, 127. 
Falls Church, The first, or 

William Gunnell's, 5. The 

second. or "Upper" 

Church, 6ff. The third, 

or present Church, 34fC. 
Farguson, John, 7. 
Front in Pohick Church, 84, 

152. 
Forbes, Murray, 108. 
Ford, Edward, 92. John, 

44, Thomas, 44ff. 
Ford, Paul Leicester, quoted, 

6. 137. 
French, Daniel, 21, 70ff. 
Gardner, William, 44ff. 
Gibson, John, 95. 
Glebe, 8, 12, 28, 29, 31, 61. 
Glebes, Confiscation of, 150. 
Godfrey, William, 4. 
Gold Leaf given by Wash- 
ington and Fairfax, 81, 90. 
Good Shepherd, Chapel of 

the, 164. 
Goodwin, Rev. E. L., 163. 
Grayson, William, 64. 113. 
Green, Rev. Charles, 10. 

First Rector, 13ff., 141. 
Gunnell's, William, Church, 

5. 
Hall, Rev. C, 162. 
Hamilton, James, 27. 127. 
Hamilton Parish, 2. 
Henderson, Alexander, 44ff., 

108. Family, 109. 



Herbert, Mrs. U. H., 164. 
Hereford, John, 4ff. 
Holmes, Rev. John, 11. 
Holy Communion, Elements 

for, 34, 66. 
Hutchinson, Andrew, 21ff. 
Induction, Right of, 57. 
Johnson, Joseph, 7. 
Johnson, Rev. W. P. C, 

106. 
Johnston, George, 38, 49, 

115. 
Keith, Rev. James, 12. 
Kloman, Rev. H. F., 155. 
Lee, Rev. H. B., Jr., 163. 
Lee, Gen. R. E., his pew in 

Christ Church, Alexandria, 

96. 
Letters of Recommendation 

and Presentation, 10, 13, 

55, 56, 59. 
Lewis, John, 4. Lawrence, 

111. Mrs. Nellie Custis, 
100. 112. Thomas, 7. Rev. 

Thomas D., 162. 
Linton, William, 44ff. 
Littlejohn, Samuel, 47. 
Lackwood, Rev. William F., 

159. 
London, Bishop of, 8, 10, 54. 
Loudoun County formed, 26. 
Mandamus served on Ves- 
try, 25. 
Mason, George, Vestryman 

and Church Warden, 27ff. 

Opposes change of site of 

Pohick, 64. Completes 

Church building, 84-85. 

His pews in, 87. Long 

service on the Vestry, 95- 

96. Father of religious 

liberty, 143. 
Massey, Rev. Lee. Letters 

in favor of, 55. Second 



INDEX 



Rector, 59ff. Retirement, 
93. Testimony of, as to 
Washington's attendance 
at Church, 137. Charac- 
ter, 138. 

McCarty, Daniel, 27ff. Long 
service as Vestryman, 95. 
Daniel, Jr., 94. Dennis, 4. 

McGill, Rev. John, 161. 

McGill Parish, 3, 163. 

Meade, Rev. Everard, 155. 

Meade, Bishop William, 
quoted, 21, 63, 100, 104. 

Minister, effort to obtain 
from England, 9. 

Minor, John, 21. 

Moore, Cleon, 94, 116. 

Mount Vernon, 41, 112. 

Northern Neck of Virginia, 
1. 

Occoquan Church, 5. 

Olivet Church, 156. 

O'Neill, Rev. Charles, 102. 

Orphans bound to trades, 16. 

Osborne, Richard, 4ff. 

Overseers of the Poor, 93. 
List of, 124. 

Overwharton Parish, 5. 

Page, Rev. Frank, 161. 

Parish Levies, 9, 15, 49, 65. 
Vestrymen not to collect, 
77. For support of the 
church abolished, 93, 146. 

Parishes formed from 
Truro, 3. 

Payne, Edward, 44ff. Wil- 
liam, 27. 

Paynes Church, 50. Con- 
tract for building, 51. 
Later history and destruc- 
tion of, 68. 

Peake, William, 7ff. 

Pendleton, Rev. W. H. K., 
162. 



Pews, assigned according 
to rank, 14, 27, 87. Sale 
of, in Pohick Church, 80ff. 
In Christ Church Alexan- 
dria, 97. 

Physicians for the Poor, 25, 
26, 66, 93. 

Pohick Church, the Old, 5, 
63. Repairs on, 16, 27. 

Pohick Church, the present, 
63. Discussion as to site 
for, 63. Plans for, 70. 
Contract for, 73. Lot for, 
71, 77. Details in con- 
struction of, 79-90. George 
Mason completes it, 84.-5. 
Pews sold, 83-5, 133. Other 
pews assigned, 87. Font 
in, 84. Books and orna- 
ments for, to be imported 
by Washington, 88. Wash- 
ington's attendance at, 
99. Services after the 
Revolution, 100. Its de- 
cay, 104. Efforts at re- 
suscitation, 106, 151. Con- 
secration of, 153. Restor- 
ation now in progress, 
155. Vestrymen, 156. 

Pohick Chapel, 157. 

Pollard, Thomas, 91. 

Poor, Provision for the, 11, 
16, 25, 32, &c. 

Posey, John, 44ff. 

Processioning of Lands, 18. 

Processioners and Pre- 
cincts, Lists of, 18, 28, 32, 
62. 

Reagan's, Michael, Church 
near, 6. 

Religious Freedom, Mason's 
advocacy of, 143. Statute 
of, 148. 

Rocky Run Chapel, 22. 



INDEX 



Ross, Hector, 60. 

Rumsey, Wm. T., 159. 

Salaries, of Ministers, 15, 
93, 97, 145. Of Clerks and 
Readers, 9, 10, &c. 

Scott, Rev. James, 45. 

Sears, Wm. B., 88. 

Slaughter, Rev. Dr. Philip, 
Introduction. 

Sparks, Jared, referred to, 
46, 64. 

Sturman, John, 4ff. 

Terrett, Wm. H., 22. 

Tillett, Giles, 4. 

Tithables, 10, 26, 91. 

Tobacco as currency, 5, &c. 

Tobacco House used as a 
Chapel, 48. 

Trammel, John, 9. 

Triplett, William, 92. Fam- 
ily, 119. 

Truro Parish, Genesis of, 1. 
Old Vestry-Book of, 3. 
Boundaries of, 2, 26, 
40. Churches in, 5, 6, 23, 
50, 63. Division of, first, 
26; second, 36-42. Decay 
of on suspension of levies, 
93ff. Later history of, 
151. Vestrymen of. In- 
troduction, 44-45, 120, 156, 
163. 

Turley, John, 27. 

Upper Truro Parish, 26, 161. 

Vestry House, 27, 60, 69. 

Vestry of Truro, The first, 4. 
Dissolved by the General 
Assembly, 20. The sec- 
ond, 21. Third, 44. Fourth, 
45. Last Meeting, 96. 
Of present Churches, 156, 
163. 

Vestrymen, distinguished. 



Introduction, Training of, 
Ditto. Lists of, 4, 21, 44, 
45, 120, 156, 163. Oaths 
and subscriptions of, 21. 
Long service of, 95, 164. 

Vestries in Virginia, Intro- 
duction. Not of Churches 
but of parishes, 47. Dis- 
solved, 149. 

Voters, List of, in 1744, 128. 

Wagener, Dr. Peter, 78. 
Peter, Jr., 91. Family, 110. 

Waite, Thomas, 29ff. 

Wallis, Rev. S. A., Intro- 
duction. 154. 

Washington, George, Ves- 
tryman and Church 
Warden, 34, 35ff. Bap- 
tism, 6. Part taken by, 
toward building Falls 
Church, 34-6. In division 
of Parish, 41. Vestryman 
in only one Parish, 42. 
His lists of Vestrymen 
chosen, 1765, 44-45. On 
two Building Committees 
for Churches, 51, 72. Ex- 
tracts from diary of, 67, 
72, 99, 142. Did he draw 
plans for Pohick? 70. 
Choice of site for church, 
64. Gives gold leaf for 
gilding, 81, 90. ' Purchase 
of pews in Pohick, 82, 87. 
Gives bond for price of, 
89. Deed for, 133. Re- 
quested to import books 
and hangings for Pohick, 
88. His Last Vestry, 89. 
Regularity of attendance 
at Vestry, 89. Resigna- 
tion as Vestryman, 95. 
Buys pew in Christ 
Church, Alexandria, and 



IlN D E X 



was a parishioner there, 
96-97. His memorandum 
of sale of pews, 97. Bond 
for pew rent, 97. Still 
attended Pohick when ser- 
vices there, 99. Regu- 
larity of his attendance at 
church, 99, 137. Distance 
from Churches, 141. 
Stands as Sponsor, 142. 
Views of, on Assessments 
for support of Religion, 
147. 



Washington, Augustine, 9, 
10. Bushrod, 103. Ed- 
ward, 15, 110. Lawrence, 
9, 22. Lund, 95, 110. 

Waugh, John, 95. 

Weems, Rev. Mason L., 100. 

West,, Hugh , 21ff. John, 
21ff. John, Jr., 33. Mrs. 
Sybil, 34. 

Wren, James, 70. Thomas, 
27. ■ .'-.44-^^ - -'- " 

Zion Church, Fairfax, 158. 



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